Dad who died was given hospital leave 'after dark'

Warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide.

A father-of-two was granted an hour of unescorted leave in the grounds of the psychiatric hospital after dark before he fell to his death, an inquest has heard.

Theo Schooling, 40, was found dead after being seen on a bridge over the M32 motorway in Bristol on 16 January 2025, while a patient at the nearby Priory Hospital.

An inquest at Avon Coroner's Court heard the nurse who granted the leave had no concerns about his mental state, but was unaware of the recommendation that any leave should be no more than 30 minutes and preferably during daylight.

The jury also heard that the risk assessment form allowing Schooling out was completed after his death because the original "could not be found".

Schooling, who had bipolar disorder, was described by his family as "bright, intelligent, charming and extremely kind".

After his mental health deteriorated following a hernia injury in September 2024, Schooling was detained under the Mental Health Act in Woolwich in south east London in November, before being sent to a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the Priory Hospital Bristol.

Following an improvement in his mental health, he was 'stepped down' on 16 December to Walter Ward, where his improvement continued.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Prabhakaran Naveen told the inquest that Schooling consistently denied having any thoughts about killing himself while on Walter Ward, and even said: "I've got quite a lot of life to live for."

The consultant also said he saw Schooling the day before his death, where he had got a haircut and new coat.

"He was quite pleasant, jovial, and he was joking with me. It was lovely seeing him… That was the last image of him for me."

Although the wards are secure, the hospital's grounds are not, with a lane leading out of the premises to a bridge over the M32.

Dr Naveen told the inquest that all leave should be "preferably during daylight hours", but nurses can use their own discretion.

But Kristen Tomlinson, the nurse who granted Schooling an hour of unescorted leave at around 17:30 GMT on the day of his death, said she was unaware of this.

"My opinion was that he would be safe going out," she told the court, adding that she had no concerns about his mental state after he asked to "go for a walk and get some fresh air".

Earlier that day, his parents had taken him out to a cafe in Bristol, and raised concerns with nursing staff about how he "didn't seem right".

After leaving the Priory hospital's grounds, Schooling was pronounced dead on the M32 southbound carriageway at 18:25.

In the days leading up to his death, Schooling had expressed frustration and anxiety at the lack of a plan to move him closer to home.

The jury heard that it wasn't until late December – more than a month after Schooling was moved to the Priory – that his correct NHS Trust in London was identified as part of a process to find a bed closer to home.

Dr Naveen said that remaining in Bristol away from his wife and children was "his main frustration towards the end".

He added this mix up caused delays in looking for a bed closer to home, and that seeing progress on this "would have given him hope".

The inquest continues.

If you have been affected by the content in this article, support and information can be found on the BBC's Action Line.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.