The mum-of-two told her doctor she was “struggling with tasks and it was affecting almost everything”
11:53, 19 Sep 2026Updated 11:53, 19 Sep 2026
Bethany Hewitt(Image: UGC)
A mum who waited three years for an ADHD assessment died after telling her GP she feared she would be “better off dead”, an inquest heard.
Bethany Hewitt, 34, from Runcorn, said she was experiencing “suicidal ideation” and was “bothered by thoughts of hurting herself” while experiencing long delays in receiving an assessment. The mum-of-two said her symptoms were worsening and that she felt “very anxious” during one “tearful” appointment with her GP, the MEN reports.
Ms Hewitt was found dead on February 22 this year. At the time of her death she had still not been assessed – despite being referred in February 2023.
An inquest at Cheshire Coroners Court heard “it was known” there were long waits for assessments. Assistant coroner Sarah Murphy has now issued a prevention of future deaths report warning there was a “risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken”.
Letter requesting faster assessment rejected
Ms Murphy said on October 31, 2024 Ms Hewitt told her GP at Grove House Practice, in Runcorn, she was “struggling with tasks and that it was affecting almost everything”. A request for an expedited assessment was rejected the following month due to “insufficient evidence”.
The rejection letter was sent to the doctors surgery but not shown to a GP. There were “subsequent missed opportunities” at GP consultations to find out the request had been rejected, the coroner said.
Ms Hewitt attended further GP appointments in November 2025 and February 2026. At the November consultation she said she felt her ADHD symptoms were worsening and that she felt “very anxious”. She was prescribed antidepressant Sertraline and advised a potential side effect was an “increased risk of suicidal ideation”.
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.ukPaul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.ukThe Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.ukJames’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
Before the February appointment Ms Hewitt “disclosed suicidal ideation” on a questionnaire designed to diagnose and measure depression.
She then told the GP she had been “been bothered by thoughts that she would be better off dead, or hurting herself in some way” but denied “active plans for suicide”.
A follow-up appointment was not made. The inquest heard Ms Hewitt scored 15/27 in the questionnaire. Guidelines indicate that a score of 16 should lead to ‘an urgent referral to specialist mental health services’.
Ms Hewitt was found dead on February 22. The inquest found “the question of intent remains unclear”.
Department of Health ‘deeply sorry’
Ms Murphy wrote: “It is likely that the long wait for an ADHD diagnostic assessment and a worsening in perceived ADHD symptoms contributed to the decline in Ms Hewitt’s mental health.”
The coroner said that in 2024 the ADHD service in Halton, Cheshire, to which Ms Hewitt had been referred, had more than 1,250 people awaiting assessment. Over the last two years the service has seen a 600% increase in referrals.
Ms Murphy wrote: “I heard evidence that staff levels were impacting on waiting times for a routine and expedited ADHD assessment. I am concerned that staff levels are impacting on waiting times for diagnostic ADHD assessments and causing significant delays.”
She said she had heard evidence that there are no national guidelines in relation to the ADHD referral process or expedited assessments. “I am concerned that this may result in an inconsistent approach, and that waiting times may vary across the country, with patients not knowing how long they should be expected to wait for a diagnostic assessment,” she added.
Ms Murphy added: “I am concerned that there is a risk that important external communication is not reviewed by GPs at Grove House.”
In response the Department of Health and Social Care said it was “deeply sorry” about the significant delays Ms Hewitt faced. It added: “The government recognises that, nationally, demand for ADHD assessments has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments.”
Grove House Practice said it had amended its “correspondence management policy… to ensure that any correspondence relating to the outcome of a referral, including requests for expedited assessments that are declined or where further information is requested, is allocated to a GP for clinical review”.