An ambulance service and an NHS trust have acknowledged their failure to uphold their duty of care in connection with the death of Ebow Graham, a co-founder of the hip-hop collective Foreign Beggars.

Graham, 40, lost his life after falling from a third-floor window in Clapton, East London, in April 2020, following a severe psychotic episode. Earlier that day, paramedics from the London ambulance service dismissed concerns voiced by his friends regarding his erratic behavior. Additionally, a call handler from the East London NHS trust did not effectively evaluate his risk level or arrange for an urgent mental health assessment within the recommended timeframe.

The London ambulance service and the NHS trust have since reached a confidential settlement with Graham’s former partner, Francesca Macri.

Alarm was raised by Graham’s friends around 4:20 PM on April 17 when they called emergency services, expressing their worries about his unstable behavior.

Macri stated that upon the paramedics’ arrival at his Clapton apartment, they were “dismissive and flippant,” neglecting the concerns raised by his friends regarding his mental state.

The paramedics assessed that Graham was capable of making decisions regarding his care. A serious incident report from the London ambulance service revealed that they did not adhere to the necessary procedures by failing to consult the mental health team for guidance.

At 6:30 PM, Graham’s flatmate, who is a GP, contacted the mental health crisis team, emphasizing ongoing serious concerns about Graham’s mental well-being. Instead of arranging an urgent same-day evaluation within the recommended four-hour timeframe, the crisis team nurse only offered an appointment for the following morning.

In a state of desperation, Graham’s friends transported him to a nearby hospital, but due to his agitation and restlessness while waiting, they took him home. Upon returning, they made two additional emergency calls, expressing deep concern for his condition.

At 12:25 AM on April 18, they placed a third call to report that he had fallen from a window. Graham, who performed as Metropolis, sustained injuries and experienced a cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital, where he passed away shortly after arrival.

The East London NHS foundation trust conceded that there were deficiencies in how the call to its crisis team was managed.

An inquiry by the London ambulance service found “multiple missed opportunities” to secure “expert assistance” for Graham.

Macri remarked: “Since Ebow’s passing, we have voiced numerous concerns about the care he received, or rather, did not receive, that day.”

She particularly criticized the ambulance personnel. Macri stated, “The paramedics who came that day were dismissive and flippant, disregarding what Ebow’s friends were saying.

“They asked whether Ebow had used cannabis, which troubles me—were they inquiring because Ebow was a black man with dreadlocks? Why was the cause of Ebow’s psychosis relevant, and shouldn’t the emphasis have been on providing him help? I can’t help but suspect that racial profiling influenced the treatment Ebow received.”

Macri continued: “Our only hope now is that the heartbreak we’ve endured underscores the risks associated with drug use and emphasizes the necessity for prompt and suitable treatment for those grappling with mental health issues. Had Ebow received the proper care that fateful day, he might still be with us.”

Leena Savjani, Macri’s lawyer from the medical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell, stated, “It is crucial that we learn from the identified issues to enhance patient safety regarding mental health care.

“We urge healthcare professionals to pay close attention to loved ones when someone is in distress, as it can ensure urgent evaluations are conducted and that appropriate assistance is made available.”

Daniel Elkeles, CEO of the London ambulance service, expressed condolences to Graham’s family, saying, “We deeply regret the shortcomings in the care provided to Mr. Graham in the hours leading up to his death.

“The inquest determined we should have sought advice from mental health specialists regarding Mr. Graham’s capacity to decline treatment. However, there were no findings of racial profiling, and we strongly deny those claims.

“Our investigation into Mr. Graham’s care has led to significant learning and corrective action for the trust in the five years since his passing.”

The East London NHS trust has been contacted for a response.