Darren Dickson

Date of report: 16/03/2026 Ref: 2026-0150 Deceased name: Darren Dickson Coroner name: Andrew Cousins Coroner Area: Cumbria Category: Alcohol drugs and medication related deaths This report is being sent to: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO : Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust of Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 3XT

I am Mr Andrew Cousins HM Assistant Coroner for the County of Cumbria

On 10 and 11 March 2026, I heard the inquest in the death of Mr Darren Robert Dickson, aged 35 years, at the time of his death on 6 February 2025. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest, where I returned a narrative conclusion, and found the cause of death to be 1(a) Toxic effects of alcohol and benzodiazepine II Ischaemic heart disease and possible hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

I found that Darren Robert Dixon resided at 35 Gote Road, Cockermouth, Cumbria. Darren was employed as a mental health adviser at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Mr Dickson had been experiencing a period of mental ill health following witnessing an extremely traumatic incident at his place of work. Mr Dickson had sought medical treatment for this mental health condition. Independent to this, Mr Dickson had started to take benzodiazepine to assist his condition. Mr Dickson had sought assistance from his employer, his GP and Recovery Steps in relation to his mental health condition and use of benzodiazepine. It is not possible on the balance of probabilities to determine the exact extent of the advice provided to Mr Dickson in relation to the ongoing use of benzodiazepine after 24 January 2025. Having last been seen at approximately 9pm on 5 February 2025, Mr Dickson was found unresponsive at 35 Gote Road. Mr Dickson was taken to West Cumberland Hospital where, despite treatment, he died on 6 February 2025. Toxicology analysis showed the presence of benzodiazepine and alcohol in Mr Dickson’s body, at levels that, on the balance of probabilities, led to his death.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed a matter giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows. I heard evidence that Mr Dickson’s supervision records were being over written and the full nature of those records could not accurately be ascertained. Following Mr Dickson’s death, those supervision records were destroyed and were not available to me at the inquest. I heard evidence, and was provided with an updated policy, addressing the issues concerning overwriting of supervision records. I was therefore satisfied that the issues concerning overwriting of records has been addressed. I was not provided with sufficient evidence to allay my concern about the retention and the non-destruction of records and considered that the trust’s policy did not address the issue about destruction of records. I was therefore given insufficient reassurance that this specific concern is being addressed.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe that Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust has the power to take such action.

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 11 May 2026. I, the Coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting  out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed.