Mum, 34, who took her own life ‘said she was “better off dead” while waiting for ADHD assessment for over three years’

A MUM who took her own life said she was “better off dead” while waiting for an ADHD assessment for over three years, an inquest heard.

Bethany Hewitt, 34, told medics she was experiencing “suicidal ideation” as a result of long delays in receiving an assessment for from the .

Ms Hewitt, described as a “shining star” was in tears as she told her in Runcorn, , that her symptoms were “worsening” and she was “very anxious”.

The mother-of-two reported that she was “struggling with tasks and that it was affecting almost everything” and her inquest heard her mental plummeted over the three years she was waiting for an assessment.

Ms Hewitt was found in Runcorn on February 22 this year.

At the time of her death, she had still not been assessed – despite being referred on February 16, 2023.

Her inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s was told a request for an expedited assessment was rejected and that the rejection letter was lost, leaving her in limbo as to when she would receive treatment.

A coroner has now written a Prevention of Future Deaths report to avoid deaths in similar circumstances to that of tragic Ms Hewitt.

Ms Hewitt had been referred to ADHD Service (Halton), part of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, by the Primary Care Mental Health Team on February 16 2023.

ADHD Service (Halton) had 1,250 patients waiting assessment and has about 100 referrals per month.

It has experienced a 600 per cent rise in referrals in just the last two years, which is in line with ADHD services nationally.

Over a year later on October 31 2024, Ms Hewitt went to Grove House Medical Practice in Runcorn where she was based.

She complained that she was “struggling with tasks and it affected almost everything” and a request for an expedited ADHD test was made on November 6.

ADHD Service Halton receives around 60 expedited requests per month.

On November 19, a reply from the Service rejected the expedited ADHD assessment because “there was insufficient evidence provided” that she needed it attached with the form.

However this reply was not shown to the GP who made the expedited referral, nor was it shown to any other GP.

There were then “subsequent missed opportunities” for the GP to discover the referral had been rejected, particularly in November 2025 and February 2026.

During the consultation on November 6 2025, Ms Hewitt told her GP that her “ADHD symptoms were worsening”, that she was “very anxious” and it was noted that she was “tearful” during the appointment.

She was started on 25mg daily of sertraline – an antidepressant – and was warned that it carried “an increased risk of suicidal ideation”.

A follow-up appointment “was not made despite starting this medication”.

The Prevention of Future Deaths report said: “On February 2, 2026, the Duty Practitioner at the surgery arranged a GP consultation the following day for Ms Hewitt after she had disclosed suicidal ideation on a PHQ9 questionnaire.

“In the questionnaire, Ms Hewitt had reported that for several days over the last two weeks, she had been bothered by thoughts that she would be better off dead, or hurting herself in some way.

“At the GP consultation on the February 3 2026, Ms Hewitt reported that the reasons for her responses in the questionnaires were the wait for an ADHD assessment and a worsening in perceived ADHD symptoms.

“It was determined that it was not clinically indicated to refer Ms Hewitt to secondary mental health services or for an urgent Mental Health Act assessment. She denied any active plans for suicide.”

She ultimately scored a 15/27 in the questionnaire, and the GP did not make plans for a follow-up appointment.

However guidelines indicate that a score of 16 – just one above what Ms Hewitt had scored – should lead to “an urgent referral to specialist mental health services”.

She was discovered on February 22 and the inquest found “the question of intent remains unclear”.

Sarah Murphy, Assistant Coroner for Cheshire, said: “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.”

Ms Murphy has now issued a prevention of future deaths report so that similar situations can be avoided in the future.

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 continued.

Ms Murphy added: “I am concerned that there is a risk that important external communication is not reviewed by GP’s at the Grove House.”

A comment on a Much Loved page for Ms Hewitt says: “Beth, you’ll be so dearly missed. Your beautiful smile and vibrant energy could light up any room. Taken far too soon.”

Another comment online says: “RIP Beth, a shining star, always full of fun. Fabulous memories of parties and dance offs at her mum and dad’s house.

“We are all heartbroken for our lovely friends. Sending all our love, sleep tight sweetheart.”

Another adds: “We will cherish all of our special memories from family parties, and villa . You were the life and soul of the party, dancing all night.

“We’ve watched you grow from a child into a young beautiful woman. May your legacy shine bright forever.”