Teenager died after taking an overdose of father's medication

A teenager with mental health problems died after taking an overdose of her father's medication, an inquest has heard.

Rachel Rayner, 19, who was diagnosed with 'borderline personality disorder' passed away in the early hours of December 8, 2010, hours after taking an overdose at her home in Wargrave.

The day before she died she was seen by her GP Mark Puddy and described hearing voices which compelled her to self harm.

The previous evening, on December 7, Rachel and her father had a confrontation over the consumption of a bottle of wine and within an hour she was found unresponsive on the hallway floor.

Paramedics were called but they were unable to revive her. An empty strip of her father's medication was found in the chair where she had been sitting.

Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford yesterday recorded a narrative verdict, after a two-day inquest at Windsor's Guildhall.

He said that while Miss Rayner undoubtedly deliberately consumed her father's medication, the evidence is doubtful as to whether she wanted to end her life. Before her death she also called a friend and told him she had taken the overdose.

Her family claim they were not kept in the loop by the Maidenhead Mental Health Community Care team as to ther serious of Rachel's condition.

They say they felt let down by the quality of her care and support in the months prior to her death.

Rachel had previously self-harmed and taken several overdoses. She was considered to be a risk to herself because of her impulsivity.

The court heard her mental state deteriorated following a break up with her boyfriend in August 2010, and her community pyschiatric nurse, with whom she had a close bond, left the service.