Social worker didn't ask man about plans to harm himself days before he took own life

CORONER RULES THERE HAVE BEEN LEARNINGS BUT SAYS HE CAN'T SAY DAD WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN HIS LIFE IF HE HAD BEEN REFERRED FOR ASSESSMENT

- By SOPHIE CORCORAN

Paul David O'Connor and (left) Paul with his family

A HUDDERSFIELD man took his own life after a social worker failed to ask him if he wanted to harm himself.

Paul David O'Connor died on May 27 this year, days after being seen by professionals who did not ring alarm bells despite him saying he “wouldn't be here” for a planned appointment weeks later.

The social worker told Bradford Coroner's Court on Friday she “could not recall” Mr O'Connor, 57, saying that in regards to an appointment with his psychiatrist schedulded for June 10.

The social worker said she visited the dad-of-three on May 23, the day after an occupational therapist had raised concerns. Assistant Coroner Laura Fox told the court: “Prior to her visit, his sister did make contact. She said ‘She advised she worries she will find him dead.”

The occupational therapist said in a previous statement that on the day of her visit, she identified risks such as suicidal thoughts and “thoughts of not wanting to be here, a negative mindset.”

Paul was visited by the social worker on May 23, but after that went four days without contact before his death. The court heard he had attempted to take his own life on two separate occasions and had been sectioned.

In her statement, the social worker said: “I was made aware that he was a man who had suffered low mood for a long time.”

The court heard “Paul knew if he told anybody he had plans to take his life he would be sectioned and he didn’t want to go into hospital again, so sometimes he wouldn't be as forthcoming about how he felt.”

The social worker said the day she visited Paul he seemed to be in a “distressed state”.