A MAN with a speech impediment killed himself after an NHS helpline worker hung up on him as they weren't "patient enough", an inquest heard.

John Worthington had Asperger's and an emotionally unstable personality disorder and had suffered months of "frustrations" with mental health services.

3 John Worthington took his own life after struggling to get help with his mental health problems, an inquest heard Credit: Archant

The 32-year-old reached a crisis point last year after having suffered with suicidal thoughts since 2014, and called NHS 111 four times in the early hours of June 6.

In one call, according to transcripts, he told the call handler: “You’re terminating the call because you are not patient enough to listen to a speech impediment”.

During the fourth call he made an attempt on his life after a helpline worker stopped the call.

He was rushed to hospital from his Norfolk home but died from his brain injury on August 11.

3 The 32-year-old reached a crisis point last year after having suffered with suicidal thoughts since 2014 and called NHS 111 four times in the early hours of June 6 Credit: Archant

John's father Keith Murdoch told Norfolk Coroner's Court: "He liked to fix things and the one thing he couldn't fix was himself."

The court heard John struggled to get appointments for a psychological assessment and appointments with the mental health liaison team in the year before he died.

He called NHS 111 on June 6, 2017 on advice from the local crisis team, but was met with pathways advisers who “did not communicate effectively, professionally or with appropriate warmth”, according to an NHS service delivery report.

The report also found: “The patient was suffering with communication problems and was finding it hard to articulate.

3 He had Asperger's and an emotionally unstable personality disorder and had suffered months of 'frustrations' with mental health services Credit: Archant

“This caused the patient to become incredibly frustrated with all who dealt with his contacts.”

Assistant coroner for Norfolk Johanna Thompson recorded a narrative conclusion.

After the inquest, John’s parents, Keith Murdoch and Samantha Harrowven, said their son was a “wonderful young fellow” who had been failed by mental health services.

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After the inquest IC24, which provides the NHS 111 service, said lessons have been learned from John’s death.

Andrew Catto, Chief Medical Officer at IC24, said: ‘Firstly, we would like to again express our deepest sympathies to Mr Worthington’s family. Following his death a full investigation was carried out into his contact with our service to identify any learning.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.