Lawyers Join Nicki Hart’s Loved Ones In Making Plea To Military Bosses Following Welsh Dad-Of-Three’s Death

A soldier with a history of mental health issues died at a North Yorkshire Army barracks following “missed opportunities” to help him, an official investigation has found.

Nicki Hart, who served with the 4^th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was found dead at Catterick Garrison, aged 33.

The dad-of-three, originally from the Rhondda Valley in Wales, struggled with his mental health and was reportedly among a number of military personnel to have died at the barracks in recent years.

Following Nicki’s death, his loved ones including wife Sara, 38, and his sister Jamie Hart-Dobbs, 39, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help them access the specialist support they need and investigate whether more could have been done to help Nicki.

Service Inquiry Report Refers To ‘Possible Suicide Cluster’

Sara and Jamie are now calling for urgent improvements to be made to mental health services within The Army.  It comes after a Service Inquiry carried out by the Army Personnel Services Group identified “missed opportunities” in the care provided to Nicki prior to his death.

The report also raises concerns over a “possible suicide cluster”, after four sudden and unexpected deaths, were recorded at 4 SCOTS between 2018 and 2022.

Ayse Ince is a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Nicki’s family.

Expert Opinion

“Life has stood still for Sara and Jamie since they lost Nicki more than two years ago. Not knowing whether more could have been done to help him has understandably left them with many questions.

“While the Service Inquiry Report has been incredibly difficult reading for them both, it’s provided them with some of the answers they deserve.

“Sadly, however, Nicki’s death doesn’t appear to be an isolated case with the investigation identifying a number of concerns regarding the mental health care provided at the base.

“While it’s too late for Nicki, it’s vital that changes are made to improve the safety of soldiers and help prevent other families from suffering the pain and grief that Sara and Jamie have.

“We’ll continue to support them at this distressing time.” Ayse Ince

Mental health: Nicki's Story

Nicki had a well-established history of poor mental health and had previously attempted suicide in 2012 and 2014 after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, said the Service Inquiry Report.

Nicki’s mental health deteriorated shortly after the death of one of his close friends at Catterick Garrison in August 2021.

He was assessed in September that year but “his presentation was deemed not related to mental health”, the report said. As a result, he was not added to the Vulnerability Risk Management Information System at that time (VRMIS).

In January 2022, Nicki told his chain of command (COC) that he had attempted to take his life three times between the previous September and October, again after drinking large quantities of alcohol.  At this point, he was added to VRMIS and referred to the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH).

Dad-of-three found unresponsive

He was pronounced dead shortly after been found unresponsive in his barracks on 5 February, 2022.

The report found there were “several missed opportunities that significantly hampered the efforts” to help Nicki.  In particular, there was an “inadequate read coding of significant mental health presentations” on Nicki’s medical notes, making it difficult for clinicians to identify if he had previous issues.

There was also a “significant shortfall of consultant psychiatrists required to fill the authorised posts”, leading to a longer waiting list for appointments than reasonably expected. Concerns have also been raised about the culture at Catterick Garrison, at times it being difficult to engage with medics, also leading to increased stress and a breakdown in clinical trust.

More than 40 recommendations made in Report

A total of 41 recommendations have been made in the Service Inquiry Report, with four specific to the 4^th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.  These included a reminder that in “any situation where an adult is at risk of serious harm, they must be referred immediately to the Army Welfare Service (AWS).”

A review of the unit alcohol policy was also required “to provide a more effective method” of monitoring alcohol consumption within the Single Living Accommodation (SLA).

At the time of his death, Nicki had been married to Sara for nearly two years.  They’re parents to Aidan, Kian and Sophia, aged 19, eight and two respectively.

Widow and sister pay tribute to 'kindest man'

Sara said: “Losing Nicki in the way we did is something we have to live with every single day, and no words could ever describe the pain and grief we continue to feel more than two years on.

“To watch my children have to grow up without their dad is devastating, and to know we’re not the only family going through this is incredibly tough to comprehend.

“We always felt there was more that could have been done to help Nicki, and the Report validates those concerns.  While we know there’s nothing we can do to change what happened and bring Nicki back to us, our hope now is to help stop it happening to someone else.

“Nicki was the kindest man and he deserved so much more.  If sharing his story will help just one person, it’s worth it for us.”

Jamie added: “Nicki was the best brother. I still go to call him at times and then it hits me all over again that he’s gone.

“Sara and I have spent the last two years seeking answers and justice for Nicki, and we’re hopeful that the Report will bring about the urgent changes and improvements that are needed within the military.”

An inquest into Nicki’s death is due to be heard later this year.

Find out more on the Service Inquiry Report

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