Oxford inquest hears of nurse suicide after cancer

Christine Dodd, 53, was found by her husband James as he returned from getting the car MOT-checked on March 27.

On Wednesday (August 9), Oxford Coroner’s Court heard that the Chinnor woman had struggled with her mental health after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in October last year.

When she was told of the diagnosis, she received the news that her mother had lost her life to the disease.

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest?

Mrs Dodd had been in contact with mental health services in the period leading up to her death.

An Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust nurse who met her in March described her making a ‘lasting impression’.

She had been admitted to A&E in the weeks before she lost her life, although her mental health was thought to have been improving.

She was due to meet with a medic from Oxford Health on March 28, a day after her death.

The inquest heard that she had a cancer scare in 2019, which had affected her mental health.

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Senior coroner Darren Salter recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She had hanged herself, a pathologist said.

After learning that Mrs Dodd was told about the death of her mother at the same time as receiving her own diagnosis last winter, the coroner said: “It’s one thing to receive a terminal diagnosis in the context of having a [heightened] concern about it.

“Then to receive that news as well is difficult to imagine.”

He added: “I can only offer my condolences on the loss of Christine.”

For 24/7 hours support, contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 for free or visit samaritans.org. The NHS's round-the-clock mental health line can be contacted by calling 111. In an emergency, call 999.