In the grip of severe depression, Phil Wright could not leave his house or even speak to his doctor on the phone.

Because home visits are not guaranteed on the NHS, it meant the father stayed trapped inside for several months without help, while his mental health deteriorated.

Last month, he took his own life – a tragedy his daughter believes could have been prevented if he had access to the right support.

“When my dad passed away, his doctors sent a sympathy card, and I literally ripped it up,” Abbey Wright told The Independent. “I thought if you had done your job properly, you wouldn’t have to give sympathy for what happened.”

Phil’s family realised he desperately needed help last year, when he told them he no longer wanted to be alive.

“He wouldn’t leave the house, he’d never come out, and then in October, he had a breakdown. He was crying, he didn’t want to be here anymore, he just didn’t see the point.”

Ms Wright, who was terrified for her father, called 111 to see if a doctor could come to their home.

She was told that wasn’t possible and her father would have to leave the house or speak to somebody over the phone if he wanted to get help.

“It baffled me,” she said. “I thought, what are we meant to do now? I can’t drag a fully grown man to the doctor, kicking and screaming.”

Despite repeatedly asking for someone to visit, Phil was only able to get phone appointments, and his wife would have to do most of the talking.

“I don’t know how you can assess someone’s mental health on the phone… A phone appointment is not enough to be able to assess the situation,” Ms Wright said.

“You cannot see the anxiety, their body language, their lips trembling; you can’t see any of that on a phone, so you need to see that in person to be able to fully understand they’re not well.”

Ms Wright, who was visiting her father twice a day, said she felt helpless. “It’s like the lights were on, but he wasn’t home. He would just stare into space. He just wasn’t himself at all.

“There’s only so much you can do as a family to try and be there for them. I didn’t know what was going on in his head, my mum certainly didn’t, and I don’t think he did himself.”

She believes that at-home care would have been “hugely” impactful and could have saved her father’s life.

Now, Ms Wright wants to see mandatory home visits for people struggling with severe mental health issues who are unable to leave the house.

“When someone is experiencing extreme mental health issues and cannot leave their home, there should be a mandatory requirement for healthcare professionals to conduct house visits,” she said.

“These individuals need immediate and compassionate face-to-face care, not vague suggestions or impersonal phone calls.”

A spokesperson for Gresleydale Healthcare Centre, Mr Wright’s doctors’ surgery, said: “We were extremely saddened to hear about Mr Wright’s passing, and our heartfelt sympathies and thoughts are with his family and friends.

“Although we are unable to speak about individual cases, the policy of our practice does include the provision of home visits, alongside telephone appointments, for patients who are unable to leave their home. Each case is assessed on an individual basis.

“As part of our normal procedures in circumstances like these, we will review our contacts with Mr Wright and his family in the time leading up to his passing to understand if there are things we could have done differently and if there are any changes to policies or processes needed in the future. A learn from patient safety event has been undertaken and shared with the ICB for learning.

It urged anyone who needs help for a mental health crisis or emergency to call NHS 111.

Gemma Byrne, the policy and influencing manager at mental health charity Mind, said: “For anyone experiencing severe mental health problems, access to the right support is crucial. Where people need face-to-face, human support, we must be able to deliver it.

Last week, the government announced a new mental health strategy that aims to drive a shift from crisis intervention to preventative care as part of its 10-year health plan.

“A decade from now, we cannot still be talking about a system that is overstretched, reactive, and struggling to meet demand,” Ms Byrne said.

“We need a future-focused mental health system that intervenes earlier, responds faster, and delivers high-quality support that reflects the complexity of people’s lives.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is continuing to take action to strengthen and improve services for those living with a severe mental illness, but we know there is more to do.

“Every area in England now has new crisis resolution and home treatment teams in place to provide rapid support, including face-to-face care and home visits where clinically appropriate, to ensure people experiencing severe mental health issues can access care in the right setting for their needs.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you

Re-enactors took part in the Eboracum Roman Festival which runs until Sunday, May 31.

They launched arrows and fought with swords and shields during demonstrations in Museum Gardens on Saturday and Sunday.

The actors also demonstrated daily tasks, such as cooking, showing how they were carried out while York was under Roman rule more than 1,800 years ago.

Display of Roman battle techniques in York Museum Gardens during the Roman festival (Image: Gareth Buddo/Furmoto Photography)

David Hare, one of the re-enactors from the Ermine Street Guard, said he was glad to be at the festival dressed in Roman armour – despite the hot weather over the bank holiday weekend.

David, from Southampton, was dressed as a Roman junior officer and the standard bearer, carrying a 2m tall standard that would have been to rally troops in battle.

David Hare, one of the re-enactors from the Ermine Street Guard, during the Roman festival in Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

He wore a helmet, chain mail on his chest and also carried a small shield.

“It’s quite warm,” he admitted, speaking during highs of 25C in Museum Gardens on Sunday (May 24). “It’s quite unpleasant because under the mail armour I’m also wearing a padded armour over the top of a woollen tunic.  

“I could moan about the temperature, but I have to remember that the Roman soldiers who were at Masada in Judea – what is now Israel – were wearing exactly the same equipment.”

Families watched on as the Romans performed and marched around the gardens.

Children also had the chance to dress as Roman legionaries and charge across the Museum Gardens’ lawn during the ‘Kids Barbaric Battle’.

Bethany Cadell with her children Arthur, six, and Rupert, three, during the Roman festival in Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Bethany Cadell, from Easingwold, attended with her children Arthur, six, and Rupert, three, who brought with them homemade shields and swords.

“It’s been great,” she said. “The re-enactors have all been wonderful – answering questions and showing the kids all the swords and things.”

People experience the Roman camp in York Museum Gardens (Image: Gareth Buddo/Furmoto Photography)

Bethany said her children are interested in history and visit key events in York, such as the JORVIK Viking Festival during the February half-term.

“Arthur is big into history – he loves history – so this is the second time we’ve been to [the Roman festival],” she said.

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Events will continue across York throughout the rest of the Roman festival.

These include a Roman walking tour of York, led by Uncomfortable York, on Saturday, May 30, and a screening of Gladiator at City Screen on Sunday, May 31, to close the festival.

The festival is organised by the York Museums Trust and its partners including York Archaeology, York Minster, Roman Bath Museum, Uncomfortable York, the University of York and City Screen.

Clare Alton-Fletcher, participation and learning manager at York Museums Trust and organiser of the Roman Festival, said the festival “always offers a fantastic experience for partners across the city to come together and showcase the best of York’s history”.

French hopeful Arthur Gea made a memorable, if uncomfortable, French Open debut Sunday, dramatically dashing from his first-round match for an emergency bathroom break early in the first set.

Trailing 13th-seeded Karen Khachanov 4-2, Gea urgently informed the chair umpire in French, “I need to go to the bathroom. I can’t move anymore. I’m going to (go) on the court,” before hastily running off Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

This unscheduled mid-set departure, typically reserved for breaks between sets, drew a protest from Khachanov as three minutes passed without play. The 135th-ranked Gea ultimately fell to his opponent 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Gea later explained the umpire permitted the break due to “medical circumstances,” and he was given medicine for stomach pain. He said he had woken up feeling unwell, a condition that intensified during play.

“During the match it was even worse,” he said. “I had to go to the toilet really quick.”

The intense Roland Garros heat, with lunchtime temperatures hitting 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit), likely compounded his discomfort.

“It was harder than usual, because I was ill,” the 21-year-old added.

Gea had received a wild card invitation from organizers to participate in the main draw.

Among the early matches on Day 1 of the clay-court Grand Slam were 13th-seeded Khachanov against Gea on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and 15th-seeded Marta Kostyuk against Oksana Selekhmeteva on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

Spectators folded newspapers in half and fanned themselves to keep cool as players on court attempted to stay hydrated.

The opening match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the main stadium, was due to start an hour later with 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic playing Sinja Kraus.

The night match on Chatrier features three-time champion Novak Djokovic against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Two days after his 39th birthday, Djokovic will play a men’s record 82nd Grand Slam tournament — one more than Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.

Here are some of the aircraft you might be seeing at the next IWM Duxford flying day.

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford’s flying season has started with the next event at the start of June. The iconic museum has a range of events happening from May through to October, including themed flying days.

On Saturday, June 6, the IWM Duxford will be holding the Flying Days: D-Day event that will celebrate the air base’s role in Operative Overlord that provided “air support for D-Day operations”. While the display is the main event, visitors will be able to take a look around the museum and its exhibitions.

If you already have tickets or are thinking about whether to buy some, you might want to see what planes will be performing in the display. The impressive line-up includes classic Spitfires as well as aircraft that flew in the Korean War.

Spitfire Mk 1

The Spitfire Mk I N3200 is the museum’s only airworthy aircraft and played an important role in the Dunkirk Campaign. The aircraft was restored to flying condition in 2014 and was donated to the IWM by Dr Kaplan and his family.

Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann

Described as ‘sporty’, the Jungmann was used as a basic trainer for the Luftwaffe as well as featuring in aerial performance competitions. The plane proved to be quite popular with private pilots too, who have opted to have the Jungmann refitted with modern engines.

LeVier Cosmic Wind

The LeVier Cosmic Wind was designed and built by the Lockheed Corporation in 1947 and was originally created for Formula 1 class racing. The plane did not successfully race in the US but has won the premier cross-country competition in the UK in 1964.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

The P-47D Thunderbolt, also known as ‘the Jug’, was one of the largest single-engine fighters of the Second World War. It was popular in Europe as an escort fighter and was well-suited to high-altitude air-to-air combat as well as an in the ground-attack role.

Spitfire Mk XIV

Only 957 production Mk XIVs were built with the first entering service in 1944 and were the most successful of the variants at destroying V-1 flying bombs. The MV293 was built after the Second World War for the RAF and served with the Indian Air Force.

Fieseler Storch (replica)

The Storch, also known as Stork, was used by the Luftwaffe as a liaison and spotting aircraft during World War Two with multiple variants of the aircraft being made. The plane was famed for its low speed flight and STOL abilities.

Grumman F8F Bearcat

The Grumman F8F Bearcat was introduced to the Second World War late and served in the mid-20th century in the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the air forces of other nations. Adaptations of the Bearcat have broken speed records for piston-engined aircraft.

Grumman Wildcat FM2

The Wildcat FM2 is described as the “ultimate version” of the aircraft and was a collaboration between Grumman and Eastern Aircraft to operate from escort carriers. The plane flew for all active U.S Navy fighter squadrons throughout the Second World War.

Hawker Fury FB11

This British fighter aircraft was designed and manufactured by Hawker and was the last-propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy. The plane was popular with overseas militaries and was also used during the Korean War and in the Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba.

Aeronca L-3

The Aeronca L-3 was used as an observation and liaison aircraft by the United States Army Air Corps during the Second World War. The L-3 series were adapted from Aeronca’s pre-war Tandem Trainer and Chief models.

L-4 Cub

The L-4 Cub is an aircraft with a simple, lightweight design, which helps give it “good low-speed handling properties and short-field performance”. The L-4 was used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and moving personnel behind the lines.

Police have closed Leith Walk in Edinburgh after a woman was struck by a tram on Sunday morning – officers are appealing for help from the public

A road remains closed in Edinburgh after a women was struck by a tram.

Police are appealing for information after a 19-year-old woman was struck by a tram on Leith Walk at around 8.50am on Sunday.

The incident happened between Albert Street and Pilrig Street near the Scotmid store.

Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.

One resident told the Record a woman had been seen carrying black bags to bins across the road when the incident happened.

The local, who wished to remain anonymous, went out to help with a first aid kit, adding: “It happened right outside my flat. The crowd had already put her in the recovery position when I got there.”

The road remains closed while crash investigation work is carried out. Sergeant Michael Thomson said: “Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking anyone who can help who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.”

Edinburgh Trams said: “Due to an incident between McDonald Rd and Balfour St trams are running a part route service between Edinburgh Airport & St Andrew Sq only.

“Ticket acceptance in place with Lothian buses between St Andrew Sq – Newhaven. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.”

Posting online, Police Scotland said: “Leith Walk is closed from Duke Street to Iona Street following a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a tram that happened around 9am on Sunday, 24 May.

“Road users are advised to avoid the area.”

Lothian Buses confirmed services were being diverted from the area. They said on their site: “Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve Duke Street and Leith Walk and are instead diverted via London Road and Easter Road in both directions until further notice.”

Slugs are commonly found during the hotter months, eating garden plants and vegetable patches.

The pest will eat leaves and enjoy growing fruit, leaving gardeners often disappointed and angry.

However, Monty Don has shared some key advice to make sure slugs don’t ruin your garden joy.

Monty Don shares how to keep your garden slug-free

Writing in a blog post, Monty wrote: “Slugs and snails are widely regarded as the gardeners’ public enemy number one.

“But they are superb at recycling waste vegetative matter but do not discriminate between a fallen leaf and a delicious young seedling.

“Slugs live largely underground in the soil and like damp conditions.

“Snails live above the ground and love dark nooks and crannies such as old brickwork or a nice dry yew hedge, as well as clustering around the base of containers.”

The gardening expert said there are several ways to stop slugs harming your plants and vegetable patches.

How to Get Rid of These Common Garden Pests

Monty explained: “Avoid slug pellets as they are chemicals that can harm other wildlife. Instead have a small slug-free cold frame or tape where you can raise tender young plants and check for slugs daily.

“Do not feed plants any more than is absolutely necessary and always feed the soil, not the plant.

“This will avoid a spurt of soft, sappy growth that slugs love.

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“Without stressing them with sudden temperatures or cultivation changes, grow your plants as hard as possible which means do not mollycoddle them.

“Finally, encourage a wide range of predators into the garden. I have masses of thrushes, frogs, toads, beetles, centipedes, shrews and a few hedgehogs.”

What garden hack have you found useful? Tell us in the comments below.

Calum McFarlane will look to end this stint as Chelsea interim manager on a positive note today as he takes the side to Sunderland with targets set on a last-gasp European qualification. The Blues make the long trip up to Wearside sitting eighth, which should be good enough to qualify for the Conference League, but three points this afternoon and a convenient result between Brighton and Liverpool could see them step up into the Europa League places.

Saint Catherine’s in Scarborough has teamed up with York Against Cancer to deliver the clinic, which brings lymphoedema care directly to the York community.

Lymphoedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues and can sometimes develop as a result of cancer or cancer treatment.

It occurs when the lymphatic system is not functioning correctly, leading to a build-up of lymphatic fluid.

Though incurable, early intervention is crucial as the condition can worsen and become increasingly uncomfortable without proper treatment.

Andy Knowles, CEO of York Against Cancer, said the scheme directly supports their mission to improve lives for people affected by cancer.

He said: “At York Against Cancer, everything we do is driven by one purpose; to make a real difference for people and families in our community who are living with the impact of cancer.

“This partnership with Saint Catherine’s is a brilliant example of what becomes possible when two organisations align around that shared goal.

“Knowing that people in York can continue to access specialist care closer to home, without the added stress and burden of travelling to Scarborough, is an easy decision to get involved with.

Saint Catherine’s in Scarborough has teamed up with York Against Cancer to deliver the clinic (Image: York Against Cancer)

“The patient feedback speaks for itself, and we’re incredibly proud to have played a part in making this happen.”

For more than three decades, Saint Catherine’s has provided lymphoedema care at its Wellbeing Centre in Scarborough, helping to ease swelling and improve patients’ quality of life.

With funding from York Against Cancer, the hospice launched a mobile lymphoedema clinic in York in December 2025.

The clinic now operates twice a month and offers up to 10 patient sessions per month, most of which have been fully booked.

Kath Sartain, specialist palliative care nurse advisor at Saint Catherine’s, said: “Saint Catherine’s is delighted to partner with York Against Cancer to ensure that lymphoedema care is prioritised and readily available to patients across York.

“This collaboration represents an important step in improving access to vital services and supporting those living with the long-term effects of cancer.”

Patient feedback has highlighted the “indescribable” difference the clinic has made, with one patient saying they now have more energy, can clearly see the benefits of treatment, and deeply value the reduced need for travel.

The clinic has offered both practical support and emotional reassurance, giving patients what they described as a “comfort blanket” through regular professional contact.

While some patients have expressed a wish for more frequent clinics, both organisations say they are encouraged by the response and are keen to explore further partnership opportunities to expand and enhance care in the future.

A police spokesperson said officers are on the scene of a serious crash on the A65 at Giggleswick, near Settle, which has closed the road in both directions on Sunday afternoon.

They urged people to “take extra care if you’re out and about”, warning that “roads that are often quiet are busy with bank holiday traffic”.

“This includes more vulnerable road users than usual – pedestrians, cyclists, motorbike riders and horse riders.

“Please adjust your speed to suit the road, be extra perceptive around other road users and expect the unexpected.

“We are on patrol 24-7 throughout the bank holiday weekend and beyond to keep everyone as safe as possible.”