Family Instruct Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell To Investigate Care Husband Received From NHS Trusts

A widow is hoping an upcoming inquest will provide much-needed answers regarding the death of her husband whose body was found the day after he went missing.

The body of Gideon Tranter was found in a garden by police around 24 hours after he left Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The 49-year-old, of Radstock, Somerset, had been admitted to hospital five-days earlier after concerns were raised about his mental health.

Following his death, Gideon’s wife, Clare, instructed expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care the father-of-two received at the hands of two NHS Trusts.

An inquest is now due to take place at Avon Coroner’s Court.

Expert Opinion

Gideon was a much-loved husband and dad and all his family are still struggling to come to terms with his death.

“In the days before Gideon leaving hospital concerns were raised about his mental health and whether he should be detained.

“If the inquest highlights any shortcomings in the care Gideon received, it is vital the lessons are learned and new procedures introduced so other families don’t have to suffer the pain and anguish that Gideon's have following his death.” Elise Burvill - Associate Solicitor

Gideon was married to Clare, 47, for 17 years and the pair ran a family removal business. The couple had two children, Jack, 17, and 14-year-old Emma.

Gideon had been known to mental health services since May 2013. He went missing on 1 June, 2017, and was admitted to Royal United Hospital after he was found by police.

On the evening of 5 June he walked off a ward. Gideon’s family and police launched a search for him. His body was found the following evening in a garden in Wells Road, Bath.

Irwin Mitchell has been instructed to investigate the care Gideon received from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust and Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.

Clare said: “It is still hard to believe that Gideon is gone and incredibly difficult to come to terms with the fact that I have lost my dear husband, whom I expected to grow old with and Jack and Emma have lost their father.”

“Losing him in this way has raised many questions. While I know the inquest is going to be an emotional time I’m hopeful that the hearing will fully examine all of the facts and help our family get the answers we deserve.”

The inquest is due to start at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton on Monday, 5 February, and is expected to last three days.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling medical negligence cases.