Norwich Castle Mall suicide: Family wins five-figure payout

Matthew died at Castle Mall, Norwich

The family of a man who jumped to his death at a shopping mall in Norfolk has won an undisclosed five-figure compensation payout from the NHS.

Matthew Dunham, 25, from Spixworth, was being treated for depression by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

The NHS Litigation Authority settled the compensation claim out of court.

The trust's director of nursing, Dr Jane Sayer, said: "Matthew's family have our deepest sympathies and apologies for their loss."

Mr Dunham first contacted the trust in February 2013 and was assessed over the telephone.

He was diagnosed as suffering from "severe low mood and mild anxiety" and advised to attend stress control sessions.

A meeting from which Mr Dunham was excluded suggested a social worker should be appointed and he received a letter on 2 May for a meeting on 23 May.

On 9 May, Matthew jumped from the roof of the Castle Mall shopping centre in Norwich.

Ian and Donna Ramsey said Mr Dunham's death could have been prevented

An inquest recorded a verdict of suicide while being treated for a mental disorder by the NHS.

Coroner William Armstrong made a number of recommendations to the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to improve systematic failings.

Matthew's mother Donna Ramsey was appalled by the lack of treatment and brought the action against the NHS.

She said after the settlement which was agreed on 8 January this year: "We hope the result of this claim will enable others to come forward and to raise the awareness of the failings within the mental health trust.

"His death was so traumatic but preventable, it does mask the good times and memories we have."