THE suicide of a Worcestershire man may have been prevented if two NHS trusts did not have a breakdown in communication, a report revealed.

Nigel Harper, who lived on the outskirts of Malvern with his sister, died from an overdose in July 2022.

He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he died.

A Prevention of Future Deaths report found Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (HWHCT) and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (GHCT) could have prevented his death.

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It revealed the breakdown in communication between the two trusts led Mr Harper to not receive an urgent mental health assessment and therefore not receive the support he needed.

The senior coroner for Worcestershire, David Reid, said there is a risk of more deaths happening in a similar manner if nothing is done.

An HWHCT and GHCT spokesperson said they express their deepest sympathies and will work together to ensure another possibility like this does not arise again.

In July 2022, Mr Harper attended the emergency department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where it was recorded that he was very anxious, distressed, and voicing ongoing thoughts of suicide.

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The nurse called Worcestershire Crisis Team to arrange care from the county's Home Treatment Team and hoped the call would prompt an urgent assessment on the HWHCT's behalf.

However, the crisis team in Worcestershire were unaware this was a referral for an urgent assessment and a request for the home treatment team.

As a result, an urgent assessment was not arranged for Mr Harper, and his case was only considered by the Home Treatment Team in Worcestershire when his GP voiced concern about his welfare and sent a separate referral.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: “We’d like to express our sympathies to the family of Mr Harper and everyone who knew him for their loss.

"We have received the Coroner’s findings, and we will work together to ensure we take any steps necessary to minimise the possibility that a similar situation arises again in line with the ruling.”