AN NHS boss admitted information from a man’s carer and partner 'would have been integral' at a mental health appointment hours before his death. 

Christopher Crosthwaite, from Walney, died aged 40 on October 12, 2021 after he stepped onto the railway line near Furness Abbey shortly after coming out of an assessment at Dane Garth, Furness General Hospital, an inquest heard.

Mr Crosthwaite had an appointment with mental health practitioner Jayne Braithwaite.

His partner and carer Jennifer Thomson was told that she could not attend his appointment for Covid-related reasons, the inquest heard.

Clare Benson, director of nursing and quality at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust told a hearing at Cumbria Coroner's Court in Cockermouth on Thursday, the room was already 'risk assessed' for Covid restrictions.

She said: "There was ample opportunity for Ms Thomson to be in the assessment.

"A family member or care worker knows that individual best. We might get a patient who doesn't want to be in an interview but we can always talk to the carer. We can get the carer's perspective on what's really going on." 

In a January hearing, Ms Thomson told the court she was 'really cross' she received a call from Ms Braithwaite telling her her partner had been discharged and was walking home to Walney when she had gone home expecting the consultation to last up to 90 minutes. He did not have his phone or wallet with him, she said. 

Ms Benson said: "On a practical level Chris wouldn't be leaving alone without any phone and any money." 

Mr Crosthwaite had a history of admissions to psychiatric units due to severe mental health crises, the court heard. In January, Ms Braithwaite admitted she did not know how to access legacy records relating to him.

Ms Benson told the court: "Everything really should have been picked up from the progress notes. She had gleaned some information from the progress notes. I was able to view the progress notes and have enough understanding what may have been increasing Chris's stress at the moment."

The court had access to CCTV footage with audio of Ms Braithwaite's assessment of Mr Crosthwaite. The court heard the fact that the CCTV camera had audio was unknown to the trust until the start of the investigation.

Ms Benson told the court she had been informed it is usually illegal for recordings of health assessments to be made but it posed an opportunity to examine the discussions between Ms Braithwaite and Mr Crosthwaite before his death. 

The camera has since been removed, the court heard. 

Ms Benson, who was involved in the NHS investigation following Mr Crosthwaite's death, told coroner Kirsty Gomersal 'the information wasn't there.' 

Ms Benson said: "Chris's assessment wasn't a fully structured assessment." 

In January, Ms Braithwaite accepted she interrupted Mr Crosthwaite on occasions. The previous session heard Ms Braithwaite told Mr Crosthwaite: "You're not at the bottom yet" and told him to go to his GP and the number of the 24-hour emergency line if he needed help. 

Under previous questioning at the inquest, Ms Braithwaite told the hearing Mr Crosthwaite did not present as someone who was at risk of harming himself.

Ms Braithwaite said: "I genuinely did not think he was suicidal. He was quite adamant about that," adding: "I didn't feel he was in crisis."

Ms Benson said 'there wasn't enough evidence' to have Mr Crosthwaite detained under the Mental Health Act. "If he wanted to walk out, he could have done," she said. 

The inquest, which was opened 32 months ago and has been through multiple hearings, will finally be concluded by Ms Gomersal today (Friday, June 7). 

  • Anyone feeling distressed or suicidal can call the Samaritans helpline on 116 123