A CORONER has criticised “missed opportunities” in the care a woman received for her mental health prior to her death.

Katy Lloyd, 40, was found unresponsive at her home in Bessemer Close, Basildon, following an overdose from alcohol and heroin on October 26, 2022.

She was taken to Basildon Hospital for treatment, the inquest at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court heard, but shortly afterwards she fell, hit her head on the floor and suffered a brain injury and later a cardiac arrest.

The inquest headed by area coroner Sonia Hayes concluded Katy’s cause of death was alcohol related.

However, Ms Hayes criticised mental health services for “kicking the can down the road” in relation to her care.

Prior to the incident, Katy’s family repeatedly pleaded for help for Katy, however she never received an assessment.

Ms Hayes said: “Katy had been deteriorating from August 2022 to her death as her family made repeated requests for a mental health assessment and further care. Katy also sought out help herself.

“Despite multiple points of contact with different sectors of mental health services, Katy was never assessed and I am satisfied a mental health treatment was necessary with referrals making this clear.

“I am satisfied that whilst there were missed opportunities, I cannot say Katy would have stopped drinking or she would not have had an alcoholic ketoacidosis.”

Katy’s family contacted mental health services several times.

On September 1, Katy’s stepfather and her niece called the Essex Mental Health Crisis line on 111 several times requesting for Katy to be sectioned.

The call was passed to a senior nurse who correctly assessed she did not have the powers to detain Katy under section 135 of the 1983 Mental Health Act.

Ms Hayes added: “On October 2 there was another call to the crisis team and I am satisfied this wasn’t passed to a clinician.

“The clinical lead and interim matron said in those particular circumstances it should have been passed on and there was an open referral for Katy between October 7 and 17.

“Looking at the evidence I find Katy probably did have an untreated mental health disorder. On October 17 she informed mental health services she was very depressed and had constant suicidal thoughts.”