A coroner has identified care failures in the treatment provided to former England cricket star Graham Thorpe by the NHS during the months preceding his death last year.
Jonathan Stevens, presiding over the inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking, determined that the 55-year-old took his own life on 4 August 2024.
The sportsman died after being hit by a train at a Surrey railway station. Stevens stated there were "failings in the provision of his care" whilst delivering his verdict.
The coroner highlighted "shortcomings in the care that should have been provided to Graham in the last four months or so of his life."
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|Graeme Thorpe tragically took his own life last year
Healthcare professionals had not examined Thorpe face-to-face since 20 March 2024, the inquest revealed.
This four-month gap in direct contact preceded his death in early August.
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The coroner specifically referenced an incident on 28 June, suggesting this event should have prompted medical intervention.
Stevens emphasised that Thorpe ought to have received professional assessment "particularly after that incident on June 28."
The inquest was told that medical staff had been informed Thorpe was requesting his spouse's assistance "to end his life" in the weeks before his death.
Despite this concerning information, healthcare providers did not consider him to be experiencing a "crisis situation."
Stevens acknowledged he could not establish whether the care deficiencies directly caused Thorpe's death.
He explained that whilst the failures were evident, the evidence did not support classifying them as gross negligence.
"I cannot say whether it would or would not have made any difference," the coroner stated, referring to potential medical intervention during the final four months.
Medical records presented at the inquest showed Thorpe received diagnoses of anxiety and depression in 2018.
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|Graeme Thorpe was struggling with his mental health after being sacked in 2022
His GP, Joan Munnelly, provided a statement detailing this mental health history.
The coroner concluded he could not determine that improved care would have prevented the tragedy.
The former Surrey and England batsman had experienced severe mental health difficulties after his dismissal from his batting coach position in 2022.
The court heard he had "spiralled into depression" following this professional setback and had previously attempted to end his life.
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|Graeme Thorpe scored 16 Test centuries during an esteemed career
Thorpe enjoyed an illustrious playing career, earning 100 Test caps for England between 1993 and 2005.
He scored 16 Test centuries, including a memorable debut hundred against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993.
The left-handed batsman represented England 182 times across all formats and later served in coaching capacities for 12 years.
He spent 17 years with Surrey and was widely regarded as one of his generation's most accomplished batsmen.