Devastated family of mum who took her own life in Mitcham Private hits out at hospital

The shattered family of an “incredible” new mum who took her own life in Mitcham Private after she was allegedly abandoned by nursing staff say they are sick of the hospital’s “deflection and blame” and want system-wide change.

The suicide of new mother Sarah Skillington at Mitcham Private Hospital's Perinatal Mental Health Unit in late 2023 is being examined at an inquest.

The devastated family of an “incredible” new mum who took her own life in hospital after she was allegedly abandoned by nursing staff say they are sick of the hospital’s “deflection and blame” and want system-wide change to ensure struggling mothers are better cared for in future.

Internationally-praised architect Sarah Skillington, 33, died by suicide at Mitcham Private Hospital’s Perinatal Mental Health Unit less than two weeks after giving birth to her daughter in November 2023.

Ms Skillington had been delighted at the arrival of her daughter Lily but soon developed post-partum anxiety which spiralled and prompted her voluntary admission to the clinic specialising in the care and supervision of clinically-depressed new mothers.

During the five-day inquest into her death, coroner David Ryan heard nursing staff allegedly failed to check on her for up to 11 hours in a significant breach of hospital protocol which requires patients to be checked hourly overnight.

The Bentleigh mum’s body was found in her hospital room at 9am on November 19, with staff records indicating she was last seen alive at 10pm the night before.

Her mother, trained nurse Karen Skillington, told the court on Friday Mitcham Private failed her daughter in her most vulnerable moment.

“I feel cheated and devastated by her death which occurred due to the inadequate care provided to her when she was at her most vulnerable,” her mum said.

Ms Skillington took her own life less than two weeks after giving birth.

Ms Skillington’s husband Jarvis Johnson, who closely supported and cared for his wife after she gave birth, said he’s been tormented by guilt at leaving her alone in hospital the night of her suicide.

He said the memories of her final days now feel like signs she was saying goodbye but that he believed the hospital was the best and safest place for her.

“It wasn’t obvious at the time. I thought we were on the right track and that I had it under control,” Mr Johnson said through tears.

Robert Skillington said his sister’s death had destroyed his confidence in the private medical system, which had subjected his grieving family to added trauma through “deflection and blame” over the course of the inquest.

“She voluntarily put her life in their hands … and it failed so incredibly,” he said.

Ms Skillington’s devastated family are calling for system-wide change to ensure struggling mothers are better cared for in future.

Her father, Dr Peter Skillington, one of Australia’s top heart surgeons, cried as he remembered his “beautiful, fun-loving daughter” whose death caused him such grief he prematurely ended his career in public medicine.

“I miss playing scrabble with her and going on walks and dinners out,” Dr Skillington said through tears.

He said he hoped the inquest would create changes to better protect and care for post-partum mothers suffering acute mental ill health.

WorkSafe, the state’s workplace watchdog, is considering criminal charges against parties involved in Ms Skillington’s death.

Several medical professionals gave evidence at the inquest only after being granted immunity certificates which prevents them from being criminally prosecuted.

Legal firm Maurice Blackburn is understood to be awaiting the outcome of the inquest before launching possible civil action against the hospital on behalf of family members.

Ms Skillington was a talented architect known for her work in Australia and the USA.

She was praised for her interior design on the Edge observation deck in New York and Cecconi’s restaurant in Toorak.

“She was a force of nature,” her brother said.

The inquest findings will be delivered at a later date.

Originally published as Devastated family of mum who took her own life in Mitcham Private hits out at hospital