http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/deganwy-man-james-ivor-jones-10537739
The coroner at the boatman's inquest said she would write to health bosses to urge them to look at the mental impact of such cases
James Ivor Jones
Six days after being told there was no cure for his tinnitus, boat skipper James Ivor Jones, 58, leapt to his death from a quarry cliff.
An inquest at Llandudno heard that "independent and strong" Mr Jones, of Rockfield Drive, Deganwy, was being tortured by the hearing problem.
Coroner Nicola Jones said she would write to the BMA, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd specialists, his GP and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to urge that in such cases, where sufferers had been given no hope, they should look into the mental impact on the individual.
"It's clear no one understood the level of anxiety and stress that Mr Jones was being caused," she said.
He died from multiple injuries in July after jumping down an 80ft quarry face alongside the A547 road at Llanddulas, and a suicide conclusion was recorded.
Mr Jones used to ferry workers to wind farms off the North Wales coast and, when his ashes were scattered at sea, a flotilla of eight vessels was involved in ceremonies onshore and in the Irish Sea, with a flare let off from Llandudno inshore lifeboat.
His son Daniel Jones, 29, told the inquest: "He was a very proud man."
Danny Jones, son of James Ivor Jones who died at Llanddulas Quarry
Another member of his family at the hearing added: "He was just told to get on with it. There was no bit of encouragement, no hope of improvement."
In her conclusion, the coroner said: "I don't think there's been any lapse of care. But I feel very strongly that there should be a more robust and active approach where someone is given a prognosis in which there is no hope for the future."
She believed this was necessary particularly, as in this case, where there was no history of an anxiety problem.
"Hopefully lessons can be learned and it will become a real training exercise – a strong man has given in after six days."
After the inquest, Daniel Jones said the medical authorities had not realised the impact that being told there was no hope had had on his father.
"So many are specialists in their own field but no one took an assessment of the effect on him," he said.
The flotilla off Rhos-on-Sea to salute James Ivor Jones, whose ashes were scattered to the waves
The family has started an online appeal to raise funds for the British Tinnitus Association, which by yesterday had raised nearly £6,000.
Giving thanks to those who contributed, Daniel said online: "James Ivor Jones had to take his own life away in July 2015, knowing it was the only means of escape for the condition he suffered.
"Please help me raise awareness and further funding so that researchers can find a cure. Nobody deserves to suffer this agonising condition and be tortured in this cruel way.
"It all started with a simple ringing in the ears which slowly crept into his life. Soon after the ringing increased in severity from slight to catastrophic, disharmonious and painful noise.
"Six months of suffering a titanic internal struggle as a result of the chronic tinnitus and hyperacusis. Five simultaneous sounds of extreme screeching, whistling, humming, buzzing and roaring every second of every day.
"This, along with little or no sleep, suffering extreme insomnia can send anyone into a state of despair."
The coroner at the boatman's inquest said she would write to health bosses to urge them to look at the mental impact of such cases
James Ivor Jones
Six days after being told there was no cure for his tinnitus, boat skipper James Ivor Jones, 58, leapt to his death from a quarry cliff.
An inquest at Llandudno heard that "independent and strong" Mr Jones, of Rockfield Drive, Deganwy, was being tortured by the hearing problem.
Coroner Nicola Jones said she would write to the BMA, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd specialists, his GP and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to urge that in such cases, where sufferers had been given no hope, they should look into the mental impact on the individual.
"It's clear no one understood the level of anxiety and stress that Mr Jones was being caused," she said.
He died from multiple injuries in July after jumping down an 80ft quarry face alongside the A547 road at Llanddulas, and a suicide conclusion was recorded.
Mr Jones used to ferry workers to wind farms off the North Wales coast and, when his ashes were scattered at sea, a flotilla of eight vessels was involved in ceremonies onshore and in the Irish Sea, with a flare let off from Llandudno inshore lifeboat.
His son Daniel Jones, 29, told the inquest: "He was a very proud man."
Danny Jones, son of James Ivor Jones who died at Llanddulas Quarry
Another member of his family at the hearing added: "He was just told to get on with it. There was no bit of encouragement, no hope of improvement."
In her conclusion, the coroner said: "I don't think there's been any lapse of care. But I feel very strongly that there should be a more robust and active approach where someone is given a prognosis in which there is no hope for the future."
She believed this was necessary particularly, as in this case, where there was no history of an anxiety problem.
"Hopefully lessons can be learned and it will become a real training exercise – a strong man has given in after six days."
After the inquest, Daniel Jones said the medical authorities had not realised the impact that being told there was no hope had had on his father.
"So many are specialists in their own field but no one took an assessment of the effect on him," he said.
The flotilla off Rhos-on-Sea to salute James Ivor Jones, whose ashes were scattered to the waves
The family has started an online appeal to raise funds for the British Tinnitus Association, which by yesterday had raised nearly £6,000.
Giving thanks to those who contributed, Daniel said online: "James Ivor Jones had to take his own life away in July 2015, knowing it was the only means of escape for the condition he suffered.
"Please help me raise awareness and further funding so that researchers can find a cure. Nobody deserves to suffer this agonising condition and be tortured in this cruel way.
"It all started with a simple ringing in the ears which slowly crept into his life. Soon after the ringing increased in severity from slight to catastrophic, disharmonious and painful noise.
"Six months of suffering a titanic internal struggle as a result of the chronic tinnitus and hyperacusis. Five simultaneous sounds of extreme screeching, whistling, humming, buzzing and roaring every second of every day.
"This, along with little or no sleep, suffering extreme insomnia can send anyone into a state of despair."
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