Sasha Drysdale

I am Chris Morris, Area Coroner for Manchester South.

On 28 th April 2023, Alison Mutch OBE, Senior Coroner for Manchester South, opened an inquest into the death of Sasha Drysdale who died on 28 th March 2023 at Beckett Place, Buckton Building,  Tameside General Hospital, aged 52 years. The investigation concluded with an inquest which was  heard before a jury between 8 th – 12 th July 2024. The inquest determined Miss Drysdale died as a consequence of: 1) a) Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (Transformed from Myelodysplastic Syndrome) At the end of the inquest, the jury returned a conclusion of Natural Causes.

Sasha Drysdale died on 28 th March 2023 at Beckett Place, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-under- Lyne as a consequence of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (Transformed from Myelodysplastic Syndrome). Miss Drysdale was a patient on the ward who, at the time of her death, was detained under section 3 Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended). Miss Drysdale had previously been prescribed the anti-psychotic medication Clozapine as a consequence of treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my  statutory duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – The court heard evidence as to a small number of studies conducted internationally which, whilst having small sample sizes, could be read as suggesting an increased incidence of certain forms of  blood cancer amongst those taking Clozapine. I am concerned that further research is needed to either refute or confirm whether or not taking  Clozapine materially increases the risk of a patient developing certain blood cancers. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your  organisation have the power to take such action.