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‘Hotdesking’ led to council worker’s suicide leap
A COUNCIL employee who worked for the Town Hall for nearly 30 years became depressed after she was asked to “hotdesk” and later killed herself, an inquest heard.
Geraldine Calvey, 45, died after throwing herself from the ninth floor of a tower block in the Regent’s Park estate off Euston Road in July.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court was told last Thursday how she had been suffering from depression triggered by changes to her job, which included hotdesking – moving from one seat to another a number of times – and the responsibility of caring for her mother following an illness in 2005. The death of Ms Calvey’s father had also added to her anxiety but she felt she was too busy to grieve.
The inquest heard how she attempted an overdose but survived. Ms Calvey was released from hospital within four days and referred to the South Camden Crisis Response and Resolution team, run by the Camden and Islington NHS FoundationTrust on behalf of the council.
Psychiatrist Leticia Magana-niebla, the Crisis team leader, said Ms Calvey appeared to be improving before her death.
She said: “The latest stress was this change on her job and having to hotdesk, and that was particularly bad for her, for the reasons of her personality – liking things just so and being methodical.”
Ms Calvey’s family, who were represented at the hearing by barrister John Jolliffe, believe she was not properly cared for and have lodged a complaint.
Mr Jolliffe focused his questions on whether Ms Calvey should have been monitored more closely when taking her medication and whether a lack of continuity of nurses aggravated the situation.
“She was seen by no fewer than six nurses from the Camden team and she had to explain herself again as if starting from scratch and couldn’t build up a rapport with them,” he said.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Dr Reid said Ms Calvey impulsively took her own life. He cleared the Crisis team of any failings, adding: “At no time was there any evidence upon which the team could be satisfied she was suffering mental illness that would warrant sectioning, and she declined informal admission.”
A statement from Camden Council read: “Geraldine was a dedicated, conscientious and popular member of staff who had worked for the council for 29 years. She is greatly missed by everyone who worked with her.” |
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