Coroner Raises Concerns Over NHS Helpline After Teen Girl’s Death
A coroner is urging the NHS to improve mental health services after a tragic incident involving a teenage girl
Eden Street, Hull, NHS, Mental Health, Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome
Hull: A coroner is calling for changes in the NHS mental health services after the heartbreaking death of a 13-year-old girl. This tragic event has raised serious questions about the support available for young people.
Professor Paul Marks, the senior coroner for Hull and the East Riding, pointed out issues with the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s helpline. This comes after the inquest into the death of Eden Street, who sadly took her own life while waiting for therapy.
Eden, who lived in Market Weighton, showed signs of autism from a young age. Her family had concerns about her behavior and communication, leading to referrals to mental health services. Unfortunately, her first referral was turned down.
After being diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, Eden’s condition seemed to improve. She was on a waiting list for creative therapy and support for autism, but the help she needed didn’t come in time.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Eden was found unresponsive by her family on June 27, 2021. Despite efforts to revive her, she was declared dead. The report noted that it’s unclear if earlier intervention could have changed the outcome.
During the inquest, it was revealed that important information from parents calling the helpline wasn’t being shared in meetings. This lack of communication could mean that critical details about children’s needs were missed.
Coroner Marks emphasized the need for the Trust to make changes to prevent future tragedies. He has given them until March 7, 2025, to present a plan for improvement, urging them to take action to protect vulnerable children.
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