In the wake of a patient falling to his death, a hospital has stepped up security around a high chimney in order to prevent a reoccurrence.

Friends of the 20-year-old man, who fell from a chimney on the Epsom Hospital site last Friday, are launching an appeal to stop a repeat of the tragedy.

Last night Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust confirmed that it has introduced extra security measures to stop anyone else from climbing the chimney.

Rachel Royall, director of communications and corporate affairs at the trust, said: “This was a tragic incident, and we would once again like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of this young man.

“We would also like to assure them, as well as our patients, staff and visitors, that we have undertaken additional steps to prevent a reoccurrence.

“This includes further security measures to prevent access to the non-public area and specifically measures to prevent anyone from climbing the chimney.

“An internal investigation was immediately undertaken, and we are currently reviewing our entire site to ensure safety for our staff, patients and visitors.

“Under these tragic circumstances we've offered our full support to the police and to Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust.”

The man had been receiving treatment on the hospital site provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust which has three inpatient wards for patients with serious mental health problems.

A statement from his friends said: "Our dear friend Adam is the 20-year-old man who fell to his death on Friday whilst in the care of Epsom Hospital’s mental health unit.

"As evidenced by the photograph in the Guardian, Adam was able to scale an extremely high tower from which he fell.

"Adam was very ill having spent a month in hospital before he died. We, his many friends, want to prevent the possibility of any such recurrence in Adam’s memory.

"As a priority, action must be taken to ensure that patients in the care of a hospital’s mental health unit are maintained in a safe and secure environment.

"If, like us, you believe that for a hospital to enable a fall from a high tower is both preventable and unacceptable, please email; twcsc123@gmail.com with ‘Adam - something must be done!’ as the subject.

"The more emails we receive in Adam’s memory the sooner corrective action will occur.

"Thank you, Adam’s friends."

Their initiative is being launched during Mental Health Awareness week - a time when charities raise awareness about those suffering from mental health problems.