Kendal family of Sheffield student Oskar Carrick speak out at inquest

Oskar Carrick died in his halls of residence at Sheffield Hallam University on June 19 last year, three weeks before his 21st birthday.

Parents Maxine Carrick and Gary Potts, who live near Kendal, described their late son as a ‘sensitive, quirky, outgoing, and inquisitive young man’.

At his inquest held at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield, Mrs Carrick said her son’s death was ‘avoidable’ and questioned why the family was not informed of Oskar’s previous suicide attempt which occurred just months before his death.

Mrs Carrick told the court that Oskar was an active and sociable young man whose life took a downward take after he was involved in a road collision in 2019 which left him with a traumatic brain injury.

After the accident, Oskar began experiencing symptoms such as memory loss, head pain and partial seizures and began binge-drinking, the court heard.

Oskar soon enrolled at Sheffield Hallam University for a foundation year, leaving home as a ‘happy, excited’ young person.

Oskar Carrick (Image: Submitted)

On April 24 2019, Oskar was assessed at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield after he had been caught trying to commit suicide with in his halls, the court was told.

He was assessed by two mental health flow co-ordinators on behalf of the liaison psychiatry team, deemed ‘low risk’ and sent back to his halls two hours later.

One of the flow co-ordinators who gave evidence in court was Becky Hughes, who said Oskar was ‘regretful and remorseful’ by the end of his assessment in hospital.

She said Oskar was initially ‘closed and guarded’ before opening up about the recent breakup of his relationship, periods of low moods since his accident and struggling with his university course.

Oskar told the co-ordinators that he did not have plans to attempt to take his life again and the group discussed talk therapies, using a mindfulness app and lowering alcohol intake.

Ms Hughes recommended Oskar self-refer to the NHS talking therapies service known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and engaged with the university wellbeing team.

He also said he was going to speak to his family about what had happened the following weekend, the court heard.

Representing Oskar’s family in court, solicitor Ruth Bundey questioned Ms Hughes on the decision to send Oskar home.

Ms Hughes told the court that Oskar had full capacity and was ‘very keen’ on wanting to progress with his life. Oskar did not give the team permission to contact his family, the court heard, who are bound by confidentiality standards which can only be breached in extreme circumstances.

Ms Hughes said Oskar did not present enough concern to breach confidentiality.

A letter detailing the crisis assessment was due to be sent to Oskar’s GP, however, due to human error the letter was never sent.

The staff member responsible for this was identified and reminded of the process, the inquest heard.

Oskar (Image: Newsquest)

An investigation was carried out into the care and treatment given to Oskar by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The investigative report found the assessment was of a ‘good standard’ and the plan formulated was appropriate, with Oskar encourage to use services again if needed.

Oskar’s family was never told about this suicide attempt or the decline in his mental health.

Mrs Carrick told the court her son had told the family he had been taken to A&E but said he was found collapsed on the floor and could not remember what happened.

Concerned for his welfare, Oskar’s parents drove to Sheffield where Oskar emphasised his issue was mainly with alcohol and depression.

Gill Hobson, residence manager at Oskar’s university accommodation, Bramall Court, said concerns had been raised regarding Oskar’s behaviour in halls.

Joe Rennie, group director for student academic services at Sheffield Hallam University, said Oskar was doing well in his foundation year and engaged with his studies.

On April 24, security staff at Oskar’s accommodation informed the accommodation that he had attempted to take his own life.

He was then referred to Sheffield Hallam At Risk Pathway (SHARP) and a meeting was held on April 28 where Oskar expressed remorse over problematic behaviour when drinking.

Repeated attempts were made to contact Oskar at the end of April and he registered with the university’s wellbeing service on April 29, indicating issues with alcohol and depression but not self-ham.

Oskar (Image: Submitted)

Oskar agreed to engage further with service, the court heard, but did not meet the risk threshold where he was deemed an immediate risk to self.

On May 16, South Yorkshire Police were called to Oskar’s flat in what is believed to be a similar incident and he was escalated up the university’s risk pathway.

On May 27, Oskar was engaging with the wellbeing team and consented to his information being shared with his mum and GP.

However, the details of his suicide attempt or concerning behaviour were still not passed on to her, the court heard.

At this point, no risk factors were met which would have meant disclosing anything to family, said Mr Rennie.

Mrs Carrick said: “At no stage did we ever know Oskar made an attempt on his life until after his death. We had no idea about the decline in his mental health and the self-destruction he was showing to his flatmates.

“Had we known this, he would’ve been brought home to receive appropriate treatment. Had the GP known, he would’ve contacted Oskar. I believe that if we had been informed, he would still be alive. I don’t believe he wanted to die. As a family our lives are broken, a huge part of us is missing.

“I exist day to day trying to make sense of something that I believe was avoidable.”

Oskar (Image: Newsquest)

A pathologist found alcohol, cocaine and quinine in Oskar’s system at the time of death, which is not believed to have contributed to his death. A cause of death of hanging was given to the court.

Coroner Katy Dickinson recorded a conclusion of suicide and said Sheffield Health & Social care’s interaction with Oskar was appropriate.

Ms Dickinson also said that Sheffield Hallam University have confirmed there are national ongoing discussions surrounding consent and opting-in regarding contacting parents if there are children are having difficulties. Ms Dickinson said she is content the university is dealing with that at a national level.

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