A GRIEVING family is demanding answers as to how a man died at home after claiming to have taken an overdose - despite emergency visits by police and mental health workers in the hours leading up to his death.

Steven Watkinson, of Ulverston, died in his home on January 22, 2022, after his family said they had raised concerns with police and mental health services that he had taken an overdose.

A pre-inquest review hearing was held at Cockermouth Coroners' Court to determine what further information and witness evidence would be required to conclude the inquest into the 63-year-old's death.

Sam Harmel, an advocate representing Mr Watkinson’s family, argued that 'there may be an arguable breach of operational duty' by the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS trust mental health services and police.

Assistant Coroner for Cumbria Margaret Taylor heard from Mr Harmel that PC Lindow of Cumbria Police attended Mr Watkinson's home after his family raised the alarm.

PC Lindow then performed an assessment on Mr Watkinson and asked him repeatedly whether he had taken an overdose.

Mr Watkinson reportedly replied 'not yet', and subsequently 'no', several times.

The court heard from an advocate for Cumbria Constabulary that the evidence says that PC Lindow committed no arguable breach – that PC Lindow considered Mr Watkinson 'in control of his faculties', and 'conscious, breathing, and mildly inebriated'.

He then left Mr Watkinson with a friend who he had called.

Mr Harmel said that two mental health services home treatment team members then attended the address at around 5.30pm.

He said: "They consider that the reason for Steven not responding is that he is intoxicated, and they leave a note, and they leave.

"They knew, or ought to have done, that Steven is at real and immediate risk, given the warnings made sometime earlier by the family."

Mr Harmel argued that police should have referred Mr Watkinson to mental health services and that the mental health team should have transferred him to A and E.

Ms Taylor said that the court would require the bodycam footage from PC Lindow.

She said: "The way in which the conversation developed (between PC Lindow and Mr Watkinson) is going to be important, as his demeanour, and how he is responding is going to be very informative."

Ms Taylor also asked for access to call logs between police and North West Ambulance Service due to 'inconstencies in timings' in statements submitted and to determine the window of opportunity in which Mr Watkinson could have been helped.

She also requested Mr Watkinson’s medical records from mental health services from 2019 onwards.

The inquest date is yet to be set and is due to last for two days. Oral witnesses will include family members, PC Lindow, and relevant mental health workers.

An internal investigation has been carried out by the trust.