Concerns have been raised regarding the support and treatment offered to a farm worker who took his own life.
Michael Cooley, 55, of Owens Close in Long Stratton, was discovered by his wife Lisa inside their garage on the morning of October 26, 2025.
He was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), but died three days later.
An inquest on Friday (April 10) at Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard he was diagnosed with glaucoma following a routine eye test in February 2024.
Mr Cooley lost both his driving licence and job as a farm worker in Swanton Morley as a result of his condition, which had a significant impact on him.
He was prescribed eye drops, which were able to reduce the pressure in his eyes, but soon struggled with symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction.
Lisa Cooley, who attended the hearing virtually, said they were given an email address on a letter to contact regarding a follow-up appointment, but said she found it "distressing" to learn this was the incorrect address to deal with queries quickly.
She added that she left three messages with the glaucoma secretary and optician photographs of his eyes bleeding and swollen were forwarded on, but these were not seen by the consultant.
Dr Nuwan Niyaduropola, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at NNUH, saw Mr Cooley in June 2024 after he was referred to him for a second opinion.
The court heard he was "unaware" of any phone calls or photographs being sent through of Mr Cooley’s eyes, nor of any incorrect contact details being given.
Dr Niyaduropola added that there was a huge backlog for follow-up patients due to staff shortages, although they aimed to see new patients within three months.
The court also heard that Mr Cooley was already the subject of a referral by the eye clinic and that a further one was not sent through – a decision that was deemed a cause for concern.
Mr Cooley was engaging with adult social services, sensory support, and was referred to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) for counselling.
He described feeling "angry" and "overwhelmed" by his glaucoma diagnosis, but was not flagged as a priority referral following triage due to protective factors, including his wife and job.
A telephone appointment was arranged for Mr Cooley on October 23, although the administration assistant had booked annual leave the week it was due to take place.
He was left waiting for the call, but no-one rang and Mr Cooley was not contacted to rearrange the appointment until the assistant’s return from annual leave.
An investigation was launched and a report was commissioned, highlighting "individual failings" with rescheduling the appointment, but added that the Counselling and Wellbeing team followed procedures regarding the referral.
Mr Cooley’s medical cause of death was listed as hypoxic brain injury due to hanging, with glaucoma listed as a contributory factor.
Assistant coroner Robin Weyell came to a shortform conclusion that Mr Cooley died of suicide.
He offered his condolences, along with compliments to Mrs Cooley on the significant efforts she made to get Michael help.
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