An investigation has been launched into a psychiatrist following the inquest into the death of a patient on a mental health ward.

Sergeant Richard Bexhell, 49, used a belt to hang himself at Woodlands Centre for Acute Care in St Leonards in 2009.

After three days of evidence, the inquest jury found protocols were not followed when the father-of-four, of Highview Close, St Leonards, was admitted to the unit after a psychotic episode.

He was sectioned on Friday, August 28 and placed on 15-minute observations. But he was found hanging less than 24 hours later and died on August 30.

The jury found Sgt Bexhell had been properly monitored on the unit and placed on the correct level of observations.

However, they said in their |verdict of suicide that during the admission process a psychiatrist and nurse did not carry out a risk assessment or give a full care plan.

Yesterday, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the unit, confirmed it is now investigating Dr Abdul Dar after the hearing was told he did not read two key assessments of Sgt Bexhell before admitting him.

Staff nurse Peter Owusu-Mensah, who was also part of the admitting team, was dismissed after Sgt Bexhell’s death.

Helen Greatorex, the trust’s executive director of nursing and quality, said he was dismissed after an internal disciplinary hearing.

She was so concerned she also reported him to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

She said: “As a result of the |evidence (Dr Dar) gave at the inquest we are re-evaluating and investigating (him) as part of our own review.”

The hearing was the final inquest into three deaths at Woodlands within 18 months, which saw the unit temporarily close and a police probe launched.

Sussex Police found there was no evidence for a prosecution.

Lynette Bexhell, whose husband served with Sussex Police for 22 years, said: “Richard was a |brilliant and loving husband and father. He would do anything for anybody and always went the extra mile to help people out. Nothing can bring Richard back. We only hope changes in practice at Woodlands will prevent the same thing happening to others.”

The trust said lessons have been learned and following a £500,000 refurbishment has appointed a matron, ensured a consultant psychiatrist is in charge of all acute admissions, and cut the number of patients on the ward from 33 to 23.

Ms Greatorex said: “We were deeply saddened by Mr Bexhell’s tragic death. We continue to extend our sympathy to his |family and friends.

“While nothing will bring these people back, we owe it to their memory and their families to learn from what happened and continually improve.

“(Woodlands) is now a beacon of good mental health practice in Sussex and beyond.”