Death of 20-year-old woman sparks Essex mental health referral concerns
Tia Birkett died at Princess Alexandra Hospital after taking an overdose of medication that had been prescribed to her
The death of a young woman has sparked concerns over mental health referrals in Essex. 20-year-old Tia Birkett died at Princess Alexandra Hospital on May 18, 2025 after taking an overdose of medication that had been prescribed to her.
Her death has sparked a prevention of future deaths report from Essex coroner Stephen Simblet, who said he had concerns that referrals made by GP practices in Essex ‘may not lead to acceptance by mental health services or adequate further treatment.’
He added that there is also a concern that patients with autism and communication difficulties such as selective mutism may not have those difficulties adequately considered in determining what further treatment or referral is to be provided.
A statement from the interim joint chief executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) said: “I would like to assure you that referrals are not rejected, The integrated mental health service (IMHS) is a primary care mental health service that works alongside GP practices to provide assessment, treatment, and coordination of care for people with low to moderate mental health needs.
“As a mental health intervention service, IMHS provides direct clinical support as well as facilitating access to appropriate therapeutic and specialist services. In line with the national community mental health framework and national models of practice, referrals are clinically triaged by experienced Band 7 nurses and social workers who triage patients and signpost to the most appropriate mental health intervention.
“This may include assessment and treatment within IMHS, referral to NHS Talking Therapies, secondary care mental health services, or other specialist/community and voluntary provisions or to primary care services where appropriate to do so. The electronic patient record system used by primary care does not have the option to select signposting as an outcome.
“Therefore, the terminology of rejection is an auto generated check box when a patient is not accepted to the service. All triage outcomes are communicated to the patients GP together with advice regarding alternative pathways and services.
“The trust remains committed to ensuring patients are directed to the right service, at the right time, with referral decisions made by qualified mental health professionals who have access to senior clinical, psychiatric, and multidisciplinary support.”
The statement added: “The trust recognises the importance of ensuring reasonable adjustment for those who have neurodiversity, communication difficulties, and conditions such as selective mutism are considered when assessing a patient’s needs and determining appropriate treatment pathways. Improving the experience of neurodivergent people receiving care is a priority for the Trust, with a dedicated steering group taking this work forward.”