Mum's Suicide Linked to 3-Year NHS ADHD Assessment Wait

A mother of two, Bethany Hewitt, 34, died by suicide after enduring a three-year wait for an ADHD assessment from the NHS. During this period, Ms. Hewitt informed her GP about "suicidal ideation" and worsening symptoms, indicating she felt "better off dead." Her mental health significantly declined over the extensive waiting time.

Despite being referred on February 16, 2023, Ms. Hewitt had not yet received an assessment by the time of her death on February 22, 2026. A request for an expedited assessment was denied, and crucially, the rejection letter was not seen by her GP. This lack of communication left her in uncertainty regarding her treatment timeline.

Ms. Hewitt reported that her ADHD symptoms were severely impacting her life. An antidepressant she was prescribed also carried a warning about an increased risk of suicidal ideation. Following a PHQ9 questionnaire where she reported thoughts of being better off dead, a GP consultation on February 3, 2026, determined no urgent referral was clinically indicated, despite guidelines suggesting otherwise for her score.

Assistant Coroner for Cheshire, Sarah Murphy, concluded that the prolonged wait for an ADHD assessment likely contributed to Ms. Hewitt's mental health decline. Concerned about inconsistencies in national ADHD referral processes and expedited assessment protocols, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to prevent similar tragedies.