Failings in care before Thorpe’s death, coroner says

A coroner described the care of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe as having had problems in the months leading up to his death.

Healthcare professionals in the Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking were informed that Thorpe had asked his wife for “help end his life” weeks before he passed away, but Surrey Coroner’s Court insisted that she was not in a “crisis situation.”

The 55-year-old, who was regarded as one of the greatest English players of his generation, passed away on August 4, 2024 after being struck by a train at Esher Railway Station in Surrey.

After losing his job as a batting coach, Thorpe was reported to have “spiralled into depression” and had twice attempted suicide.

Care co-ordinator Katie Johnson spoke to his wife Amanda on the phone after he missed a meeting with the community mental health team on June 28. She claimed that her husband was “constantly asking for help end his life,” the court was informed.

The coroner claimed that healthcare professionals last saw the cricketer in person on March 20.

According to Mr. Stevens, “there were shortcomings in the care that ought to have been given to Graham over the course of his life.”

I am unable to say whether it would have changed anything if he had been seen in those final four months, particularly after the incident on June 28.

Following Thorpe’s passing, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust conducted an investigation.

When a patient doesn’t have “active intent” or an “active plan,” Dr. Burgul questioned whether setting up an appointment in two weeks would be appropriate.

She explained to the court that Thorpe didn’t need the home treatment team’s assistance.

The psychiatrist was questioned about whether there was any proof that an in-person evaluation might have had a different outcome. She replied, “no”.

The psychiatrist was questioned about the need to schedule a visit to Thorpe because the phone conversation was over.

According to her, “in the wisdom of the past, a home visit would have been clinically indicated.”

A risk panel recommended that it be looked into in June 2024, according to Dr. Burgul to the court, and this was never done by the private provider or the GP.

Given that the cricketer had missed some appointments, the psychiatrist said: “Yes, it’s a possibility.

A pathologist identified Thorpe’s cause of death as a number of injuries, according to the coroner.

Mrs. Thorpe referred to her husband as her “best friend and soul mate.”

She stated in a statement following the inquest that: “We will never get over the tragic loss of Graham and we miss him every day.

We intend to celebrate Graham’s life at the Oval and his birthday on Friday, which would have been his 56th birthday.

Mrs. Thorpe stated that the family would gather to raise money for those who suffer from mental illness in conjunction with the charity Mind.

She continued, “We would like to end the stigma and shame experienced by sufferers, especially middle-aged men.”

A left-handed batter, Thorpe had previously played for Surrey County Cricket Club.

He played for England for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005, before settling in as a coach for 12 years.

Thorpe made 16 Test starts for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and he represented his country 182 times in all formats.