Mother Died by Suicide Amid Three-Year Wait for ADHD Assessment, Inquest Hears

A mother-of-two died by suicide after waiting three years for an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment, an inquest has heard. Bethany Hewitt, 34, was found hanged in Runcorn, Cheshire, on February 22. Her death occurred 19 days after a GP appointment on February 3, during which she disclosed suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm.

During the February 3 appointment, Ms. Hewitt scored 15 out of 27 on a PHQ9 questionnaire, a screening tool for depression. This score was one point below the threshold that typically prompts an urgent referral to specialist mental health services. She reportedly denied having any active plans for suicide, and the GP did not schedule a follow-up appointment. It was also determined that she would not be referred to secondary mental health services or for an urgent Mental Health Act assessment.

Ms. Hewitt had been initially referred for an ADHD diagnostic assessment on February 16, 2023, but had not received one by the time of her death. Over a year later, on October 21, 2024, she informed a GP at Grove House Medical Practice that her ADHD symptoms were worsening, causing her significant anxiety and making everyday tasks difficult. The GP requested an expedited ADHD assessment on November 6. Ms. Hewitt also began a 25mg dose of the antidepressant sertraline, with a warning that increased suicidal ideation was a potential side effect. A follow-up appointment was not made despite her starting this medication.

On November 19, ADHD Service Halton, part of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, rejected the request for an expedited assessment due to insufficient evidence. This information was not shared with the GP who made the referral or any other practitioner at the practice, leaving Ms. Hewitt in uncertainty.

Assistant Coroner for Cheshire, Sarah Murphy, has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report in an effort to prevent similar tragedies. She concluded that it was "likely" that the extended wait for an ADHD assessment and the perceived worsening of her symptoms contributed to a decline in Ms. Hewitt's mental health. The inquest noted that the specific intent behind Ms. Hewitt's actions remains unclear.

"Bethany Hewitt had been waiting for three years for an ADHD diagnostic assessment and had not been assessed at the time of her death," Ms. Murphy stated. She also highlighted a lack of national guidelines for ADHD referral processes and expedited assessments, expressing concern that this could lead to inconsistent approaches and varying waiting times across the country.

In the Prevention of Future Deaths report, it was noted that on February 2, 2026, a duty practitioner arranged a GP consultation for Ms. Hewitt after she disclosed suicidal ideation on a PHQ9 questionnaire. She had reported being bothered by thoughts of being better off dead or hurting herself. At the subsequent consultation on February 3, 2026, Ms. Hewitt attributed her responses to the wait for an ADHD assessment and the worsening of her perceived symptoms. The report indicated that it was not deemed clinically necessary to refer her to secondary mental health services or for an urgent Mental Health Act assessment, as she denied any active plans for suicide.

ADHD Service Halton reportedly receives approximately 60 expedited requests and around 100 referrals per month. Currently, up to 1,250 patients are awaiting ADHD assessments. Loved ones shared tributes to Ms. Hewitt, remembering her "beautiful smile and vibrant energy" and describing her as "the life and soul of the party."