Home / Health / Age Cut-off Blamed in Psychosis Treatment Denial
Age Cut-off Blamed in Psychosis Treatment Denial
10 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Man denied psychosis treatment due to age cut-off, inquest heard.
- Couple found dead after husband's mental health declined.
- Inquest reveals conflicting reports on patient's condition post-discharge.
A man suspected of killing his wife before taking his own life was reportedly denied timely and effective support for his psychosis due to his age, an inquest has revealed. Chris and Ruth Stone-Houghton were discovered deceased in their Portsmouth home in September 2022, following Mr Stone-Houghton's escalating paranoia and delusional thoughts.
Despite requests from clinicians for early intervention in psychosis treatment, these were twice refused because Mr Stone-Houghton was 66, surpassing the NHS Trust's age limit of 65. Consequently, he was placed on a year-long waiting list for specialized talking therapy. His mental health deteriorated during the pandemic, leading to a suicide attempt in July 2022.
Following a period on a psychiatric ward, Mr Stone-Houghton was discharged. However, a consultant psychiatrist described the accompanying documentation as inaccurate, noting he did not appear fully well. The inquest continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the couple's deaths and the adequacy of mental health services provided.
