Nurse jumped to her death from bridge as she dreaded undergoing cancer treatment 

Nurse, 56, jumped to her death from bridge because she dreaded returning to hospital after undergoing cancer treatment, inquest hears

  • Kim Holman was undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer
  • The 56-year-old complained about suicidal thoughts while attending hospital
  • She transferred to St Cadoc’s in Wales where she said she was feeling better
  • Kim was ‘masking her feelings’ and ‘took advantage of a brief lack of supervision’
  • The health worker jumped from a bridge and was pulled from the River Usk

Kim Holman, 56, committed suicide after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy

A tragic nurse killed herself as she dreaded remaining in hospital after cancer treatment, an inquest heard.  

Kim Holman, 56, took a taxi before jumping off a bridge after surgery and chemotherapy.

Mother Kim told health workers that she didn’t want to stay in St Cadoc’s mental health hospital, Wales, and was allowed to leave.

The former anaesthetic nurse later tried to kill herself, Gwent Coroner’s Court heard.

She was then monitored by her family – but when left alone she took a taxi to a bridge and took her life.

Kim, of Newport, Wales, was pulled from the River Usk by a passerby and later died in hospital.

Coroner Caroline Saunders said: ‘Kim was a 56-year-old lady who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

‘She had undergone surgery and chemotherapy. It is not surprising that Kim was depressed.

The health worker 'took advantage of a brief lack of supervision' as she jumped from a bridge over the River Usk in Newport, the Gwent Coroner’s Court heard. She had complained of suicidal thoughts while undergoing treatment

The health worker ‘took advantage of a brief lack of supervision’ as she jumped from a bridge over the River Usk in Newport, the Gwent Coroner’s Court heard. She had complained of suicidal thoughts while undergoing treatment

‘While attending hospital, she complained of suicidal thoughts. She was assessed then discharged from hospital.’

The health worker attempted to take her own life by cutting her wrists and taking an overdose of medication before being transferred to St Cadoc’s mental health hospital, Wales.  

She told staff she was feeling better as she allegedly ‘didn’t want to stay’, the court heard.

She was transferred to St Cadoc's Hospital (pictured). Here she told staff that she was feeling much better because she 'didn't want to stay' in the hospital, the court heard

She was transferred to St Cadoc’s Hospital (pictured). Here she told staff that she was feeling much better because she ‘didn’t want to stay’ in the hospital, the court heard

The coroner added: ‘Kim was seen daily by a member of the team but concerns were raised that Kim was masking her true feelings.

‘Sadly Kim took advantage of a brief lack of supervision and jumped from Town Bridge.’

Miss Saunders recorded a conclusion of suicide.  

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