An inquest has concluded that a 30-year-old man from Ealing died by suicide following long-term mental illness, compounded by financial stress and social isolation.
James Buchanan died after being struck by a train at Hanwell station on the morning of 8 February 2024. The inquest, held at West London Coroner’s Court before HM Coroner Richard Furniss, concluded on 15 January 2026 that Mr Buchanan died by suicide against the background of chronic serious mental illness.
The court heard that Mr Buchanan had completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and enjoyed travelling. He had struggled with his mental health throughout his life and previously spent time as an inpatient before being supported by Infinity Care.
In late 2022, it was decided that Mr Buchanan should take a step towards greater independence after improvements in his mental health. He moved into accommodation provided by Certitude, a housing provider offering light-touch supervision and support with areas such as finances, employment, living skills and housekeeping.
Evidence to the inquest focused on Mr Buchanan’s growing financial difficulties, including rent arrears linked to problems obtaining housing benefit. As part of rent collection processes, Certitude sent a letter warning of possible repossession. The coroner heard that the letter caused significant anxiety for Mr Buchanan and his family. Certitude accepted that more appropriate language should have been used and told the court it would change the wording.
Mr Buchanan was also under the care of West London NHS Trust’s Mental Health Integrated Network Teams (MINT). The coroner was critical that from 17 November 2023 he was left without a care coordinator, placed on an indefinite waiting list for dialectical behaviour therapy and was not due to see a psychiatrist until February 2024. However, the coroner concluded that he did not believe these factors would have changed the outcome.
The coroner found that Mr Buchanan’s death was exacerbated by anxiety linked to rent arrears, lack of work, uncertainty over housing benefit eligibility and a degree of social isolation.
James’ mother, Louise Buchanan, said: “I am devastated by the loss of my son, James, and I remain concerned with aspects of the care he received. I hope West London NHS Trust and Certitude can use this experience to improve the support they offer to people struggling with their mental health.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, a West London NHS Trust spokesperson said: “We want to reiterate that we are sorry for what has happened to James Buchanan and the impact this has had on his family. While we accept the coroner’s conclusions that differences in care delivery would not have changed this tragic outcome, we continue to make a concerted effort to improve all our services. This includes enhancing links with partners so that care is better coordinated together with a more robust early warning system if patients are not interacting with our services, so that we can try other ways to engage with them.”
The family were represented at the inquest by solicitors from Hugh James and counsel from Outer Temple Chambers.
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