Tia Birkitt
15 Jul 2026 · Coroner Stephen Simblet · Essex
The coroner's concerns
1. referral acceptance failure by mental health services
“arrangements for the consideration of referrals made by GP practices in Essex may not lead to acceptance by mental health services or adequate further treatment, or be fully understood in the referral process”
2. inadequate accommodation of autism and communication difficulties in treatment planning
“patients with presentations such as autism and communication difficulties such as selective mutism may either not have those difficulties adequately considered in determining what further treatment or referral is to be provided, or may not have adequately explained to them or their families how such treatments or further referrals may actually be delivered in a manner that takes account of those difficulties”