Daniel Bowen
1 Feb 2017 · Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley · West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
The coroner's concerns
1. academic advisor underutilisation
“Academic Advisor - Better use should be made of the person in this post for each school. There was a wasted opportunity for the academic advisor to be involved in face to face meetings with [the deceased] and help him when he was struggling to get his work in on time and to deal with his academic pressures. In the circumstances I heard that if work was late a penalty would be imposed. This seems ridiculous; why hit a man when he is already down?”
2. communication breakdown
“With regard to communication - this appeared to be deeply flawed amongst the huge number of University departments and units. The health clinic incorporating amongst other things a pharmacy and the counselling service, was excellent offering free access to students. The system failed - [the deceased] was not in the link between his GP/counsellor and the student support unit. If this link had been complete I do not believe [the deceased] would have died when he did.”