A PREVENTING a future deaths report has been sent to NHS England after an Oxfordshire man took his own life.

Martyn Stringer died at the John Radcliffe Hospital two days after being struck by a bin lorry on the A4074 near Benson shortly after noon on March 27, 2023.

The 54-year-old, from Preston Crowmarsh, had run in front of a refuse truck near his home.

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Three days before, he had tried to jump from a clifftop in Sussex but was detained by police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

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An inquest into his death was held at Oxford Coroner’s Court in July where area coroner Nicholas Graham ruled that the entrepreneur had taken his own life.

He has since written a preventing future death report due to his concerns about the ‘sufficiency of provision for suitable placements’ in hospitals for those ‘requiring compulsory treatment’.

It was heard during the three-day inquest that Mr Stringer was assessed at Eastbourne District Hospital and eligible for detainment, however, a bed could not be found him.

While waiting, he absconded the hospital and returned to the cliffside before being caught by police at the train station, telling officers he wanted to home.

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His family eventually took him out after a bed could not be secured.

The inquest heard that searches were made nationally and, though a ‘health-based place of safety bed’ did become available it was no offered to Mr Stringer.

In his report, Mr Graham said: “My findings were that: ‘It is the case that a Health Based Place of Safety bed did  become available but a decision was taken that due to anticipated demand for potential patients not to offer this to Martyn.’ 

“And also that: ‘in my view highly likely that Martyn would have benefitted from a further admission to hospital – as he had previously – and he would have prevented from further relapse and ultimately taking the actions he did on the  morning of March 27.”

He added that experienced mental health professionals noted that the lack of beds for those requiring detention under the Mental Health Act was a ‘frequent occurrence’.  

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Mr Graham wrote: “In my view, you should consider a review of the sufficiency of provision for suitable placements for those requiring compulsory treatment.”

NHS England have 56 days, until October 2, to respond to the report outlining details of action or proposed action taken or an explanation as to why no action will be taken.

A copy of the report was also sent to Mr Stringer’s family, Oxfordshire ICB and East Sussex ICB.

The Samaritans helpline can be contacted on 116 123 and is available 24/7.