‘My soulmate was let down by mental health services’

Dad Simon, 57, found dead at his Leek home

THE partner of a 57-year-old father found dead in his flat has accused mental health services of ‘letting down’ their loved-one.

Dr Simon Fearon Park had a history of self-harm and spent a short period in Harplands Hospital, in Hartshill.

But Diane Wilkinson has told an inquest how her ‘soulmate’ should never have been discharged.

Dr Park was found dead at his flat – on St Edward Street, in Leek – on October 17. He died as a result of drug and alcohol toxicity following a non-deliberate overdose.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Dr Wilkinson said: “We met at university in 1986 and were together since then. It was 30 years of a great relationship.

“The last five years were difficult due to deteriorating mental health.

“Simon found it difficult to deal with a close friend’s death. He over-worried and became anxious. He had a heart defect from birth. It was stable for many years.”

The inquest heard that Dr Park underwent successful surgery to replace a valve in his heart. But his mental health continued to deteriorate.

Dr Wilkinson added: “He felt very mortal and scared. He took antidepressants.

“The bouts between illness became shorter and the depths became deeper. He could not see the good and the love around him.

“He preferred to be out walking in the countryside. I would always accompany him. He lost his mother due to cancer and sank deeply into depression. His mental health deteriorated significantly.”

Dr Park began drinking heavily and spent two weeks at Harplands Hospital.

Dr Wilkinson added: “He was able to tell people he was well when he was not. He should not have been released.

“We feel he was let down by mental health services.

“I lost my soulmate, the love of my life, and my sons’ father. We feel we did everything we could to support Simon.”

The alarm was raised when a loved-one was unable to reach Dr Park on October 17 last year.

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Daniel Howe said: “He had a history of anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and alcohol misuse.

“He was known to mental health services.”