- No witnesses gave evidence
- at the inquest,
- only the coroner read out
- written statements
- from the man’s doctor, the first paramedic
- to attend him after he collapsed,
- a police sergeant who investigated
- his death, the pathologist
- who carried out
- his post-mortem.
- The day he died
- he was awaiting the results of an appeal
- against being found fit for work.
- He visited the jobcentre,
- and was asked to climb some stairs.
- Heart disease, sarcoidosis,
- diabetes, cirrhosis,
- depression, anxiety,
- agoraphobia and high blood pressure;
- he had been referred to a respiratory clinic; had been diagnosed
- with Asperger’s syndrome.
- He had previously lost his job because of depression;
- he was falling asleep at work; serious breathing difficulties.
- Despite a ‘fit note’ from his doctor
- he had started a new job within a few days;
- he wanted to work.
- But his employer realised how unwell he was, and was worried.
- He lost the job.
- He told the jobcentre staff
- he would have a heart attack
- if he climbed the stairs.
- Told he could use the lift,
- he asked if someone could accompany him
- because of his claustrophobia.
- He was told this was not possible.
- It was agreed that someone would come down
- to speak to him.
- After leaving the Jobcentre
- he went to see a friend,
- who calmed him down.
- He was worried about work, about
- money.
- They weren’t going to give him disability benefits.
- He didn’t know how he was going to live.
- Hours later
- he collapsed in the street
- and died.
[Disability News Service, 11/08/2022, Shock after inquest ignores ‘fitness for work’ and jobcentre concerns]