A HAMPSHIRE mother whose mentally ill daughter killed herself after being labelled a "waste of space" is to receive £260,000 in damages.

Mandy Park took legal action against Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust following the death of her daughter Hannah Groves, 20, who was studying French at Southampton University.

Ms Park accused the trust of negligence and the case was due to be heard at the High Court next month.

But her solicitor, Nick Fairweather, has confirmed that the Calmore-based trust has agreed to pay her £260,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Hannah committed suicide at her mother's Southampton home in 2012 after being refused treatment at Antelope House, a mental health unit in the city.

She had made several previous attempts to take her own life but was denied the specialist help she sought.

At the inquest into her death coroner Keith Wiseman said the risk to Hannah's safety was “not adequately identified” in the run-up to her death.

The settlement comes after Ms Park claimed she was a secondary victim of the trust's negligence, having developed post traumatic stress disorder caused by finding Hannah's body.

Last night she said she was pleased the long legal battle was over but vowed to fight for improvements in mental health care.

"I will campaign for safe houses to be provided locally to patients when no NHS beds are available and for a better understanding of mental health issues generally in the young and those caring for them," she said.

"Hannah was my world and I will fight to my last breath to campaign in her name and memory."

Mr Fairweather added: "The damages compensate Mandy for the severe post traumatic stress disorder she has suffered and continues to suffer on account of finding Hannah. She has been left unable to work and in need of ongoing care and counselling.

"Of course, no amount of money can begin to compensate someone for the needless loss of their child."

Julie Dawes, interim chief executive of Southern Health, added: “I apologise again on behalf of the trust for letting Miss Groves down in 2012, with such tragic consequences, and I express my condolences to her family.

“We cannot comment on details of specific settlements as they are confidential.

"Negotiations are conducted by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) which acts on behalf of NHS organisations and always aims to resolve claims fairly, by carefully considering the interests of both patients and families and the NHS.”

Hannah was refused treatment at Antelope House after being described as a "waste of space" and an "attention seeker".

Southampton social worker David Lawrence was accused of making the remarks but denied the allegations and was cleared by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

In a report published after the hearing the HCPC said the words were "undoubtedly spoken" but said the case against Mr Lawrence was "not well founded".

As reported in the Daily Echo, Southern Health has repeatedly been accused of failing its patients.

A scathing report commissioned by NHS England revealed that the trust had failed to investigate the deaths of hundreds of people with mental health problems and learning difficulties.

Southern Health has also been criticised by the Care Quality commission (CQC), which regulates the industry.