Tragedy of nurse who struggled during the Covid crisis
TRIBUTE TO ‘FRIENDLY, LIKEABLE, FUNNY AND CARING’ MAN
A “LIKEABLE and compassionate” nurse died after struggling to cope with the Covid crisis.
Julian Curley was on the frontline of the battle against the pandemic, an inquest heard.
Police were called to his home when his family became worried about him. His sister and brotherin-law then tried to drive him to a mental health assessment but, tragically, when the car stopped, he stepped out and threw himself off a bridge over the A50.
The incident took place on July 14, 2020, by Toyota island on to the A50 westbound in Burnaston. Mr Curley died from a head injury.
Following the inquest, Cathy Winfield, executive chief nurse at the University of Derby and Burton Hospitals Trust, said: “We were all deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Julian last year, which I know came as a huge shock to us all and impacted the whole UHDB family. Our thoughts still very much remain with Julian’s loved ones at this difficult time.
“Julian was a friendly, likeable, funny and caring individual, who always managed to light up a room whenever he was in it.
“He was also well known for his compassion, kindness and calm approach to everyone he met – traits that have meant that he is still dearly missed by those who knew him.
“The wellbeing of our staff will always be among our very top priorities as a trust, never more so than in the last year, where our colleagues have dedicated so much in the fight against Covid-19. We have a number of support networks and a trust-wide wellbeing programme in place across UHDB to look after our people, including a 24/7 confidential support line that all colleagues are able to access.”
Mr Curley’s career spanned 20 years within the NHS, and saw him work as a theatre support worker at both Queen’s Hospital Burton and then later at Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital, in the day case unit
During the pandemic, he had been working at Queen’s Hospital Burton supporting its theatre team.
The inquest, held at Derby Coroner’s Court heard how his sister, Dawn Brint, had called police on the morning of his death after becoming worried for his safety. Two officers attended and spoke to Mr Curley at length. Concerned he may be a risk to himself, police were said to have taken away a knife that had been stored in his bedroom and referred him to mental health services at Royal Derby Hospital for immediate support. However, as Ms Brint and her husband were driving Mr Curley to the hospital, they pulled up at the roundabout and he jumped out of the vehicle.
After pacing back and forth along the railings of the bridge and refusing to return to the car, the inquest heard Mr Curley said sorry to the couple before falling to his death.
An investigation was undertaken by Det Con Alex Hathaway into the circumstances leading up to his death.This found that the 51-year-old, who lived in Wilnecote, near Tamworth, “clearly had difficulties in his life” in the months before his death. These included struggling with a relationship change as well as “a number of issues relating to Covid”, the coroner was told.
Det Con Hathaway said: “Julian had a job in the NHS and when Covid started he was struggling and found it quite scary in his front line role. All his issues came together to cause how he felt.”
During the inquest, some family members questioned why police had not taken Mr Curley to the hospital themselves.
Ms Brint also said that should family members be responsible for taking vulnerable individuals for support in the future, it would be beneficial for officers to ensure all measures for preventing them from fleeing the vehicle are put in place – including making sure the car’s child lock is on.
The coroner, Tanyka Rawden, said she was satisfied the officers who were called to check on Mr Curley had done everything they could to help him.
Mrs Rawden added that they went “above and beyond” in their treatment of Mr Curley and that they will have had no reason to suspect he would attempt to harm himself after they left.
Derbyshire police said they had followed procedure and offered its condolences to Mr Curley’s family.
A spokesperson said: “Officers do, on occasion, transport people to hospital when no other form of transport is available and where they do not necessarily require an ambulance. In cases where someone can be entrusted to the care of their family for a journey to hospital then this is the preferred option.
“The patient will often feel happier with their own family and by not undertaking that journey, police officers are then able to attend other incidents where members of the public need help.
“In this case, officers attended Mr Curley’s home and spoke to him and his family. He agreed to attend the hospital for an assessment and his family agreed to take him. Officers helped Mr Curley to the car before leaving the address.
“Our thoughts are with Mr Curley’s family and friends at this time.”
■ For confidential support from volunteers, including for suicidal thoughts, Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123 or by email to jo@samaritans.org
Julian was a friendly, likeable, funny and caring individual, who always managed to light up a room. Cathy Winfield