Bournemouth mum wants to improve autism training

A campaigner whose daughter died in a mental health hospital is proposing a new law to give medical staff extra training on autism in women.

Lindsey Bridges, from Bournemouth, was in the House of Commons last month to advocate for Lolly’s Law.

Her daughter Lauren, 20, from Bournemouth, fatally harmed herself at Priory Hospital Cheadle Royal near Stockport, Greater Manchester, in February 2022.

A petition started by her mother has garnered more than 230,000 signatures and been backed by Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale, who led a debate in parliament.

Ms Bridges said her daughter Lauren was diagnosed with autism when she was 17-years-old and had struggled with her mental health.

She was detained under the Mental Health Act and moved to a unit in Greater Manchester, 250 miles (400 km) from her home in Dorset.

“I’m angry that my daughter is no longer here to live the life she should be living”, Ms Bridges said.

“Lauren was just the kindest soul who wanted to live life.”

Ms Bridges said Lolly’s Law would see professionals having detailed and proper training in autism, and how it presents itself in women.

It also proposes for anti-ligature doors in psychiatric facilities and for the creation of anti-suicide and self harm hubs, specifically designed for autistic people.

“We made a pact that together we would change the system,” she said.

Ms Toale, who raised the petition in Parliament, said the need for change was “so great” and she would continue to fight alongside Ms Bridges to enact the law.

“There are about 2,000 people who are in mental health facilities at the moment who are misdiagnosed,” she said.

“We want to build a care system that supports them, not isolates them.”

Ms Bridges said she was determined to prevent other families from suffering the same loss and pain as hers.

“Lauren got lost in the system, and the loss that we feel because of it is just heartbreaking,” she said.

“But she drives me, at times where I feel like giving up, I have her voice saying come on mummy we can do it.”