Portsmouth inquest criticises mental health discharge
Oliver and Abbie Stone‑Houghton have chosen compassion. They told the BBC they do not blame their dad, Chris, for what happened to their parents, describing a loving family overwhelmed by serious illness. On 15 December 2025, a Portsmouth inquest examined how support was arranged when Chris came home from hospital.
Here is the timeline the court heard. Chris, 66, had run a jewellery business that closed during the Covid years. His mental health collapsed, and he was diagnosed with psychotic depression. After a suicide attempt in July 2022 he was sectioned and admitted to St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth. Within four weeks he was discharged home; on 14 September 2022 Chris and his wife Ruth, 60, were found dead at their home.
In evidence, the consultant psychiatrist who had treated Chris on the ward acknowledged there was no specific plan to manage his known difficulty taking antipsychotic medication at home and that Ruth had been “terrified” he would self‑harm again. The ward had no psychologist at the time. The coroner criticised the way the discharge was handled as unsafe, citing an inadequate risk assessment and concerns about medication adherence.
Community staff twice asked for Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) treatment - widely regarded as the fastest, evidence‑based pathway after a first episode - but the referral was denied because Chris was over the local cut‑off age of 65. National NHS standards target EIP support for people aged 14–65, with clinical flexibility beyond that range.
What this means: “Being sectioned” is when someone is detained in hospital for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act because professionals judge there is serious risk. It is meant to stabilise a crisis and plan safe ongoing care once a person leaves hospital.
What an inquest does: a coroner investigates who died and how, when and where. It is not about blame or compensation; it is about facts and learning so future deaths might be prevented. Proceedings are public and families can be represented.
Why carers’ support matters: the court heard no formal carer’s assessment was completed for Ruth even though she was central to Chris’s care at home. In England, any adult who looks after another adult is entitled to ask the council for a free carer’s assessment to identify support that could reduce strain and risk.
If you’re supporting someone after psychiatric discharge, ask for a clear written plan before they leave: who checks in and when, how medicines will be supported, what to do if things worsen, and whether EIP or equivalent therapy is available. Keep contact numbers to hand and, if you’re worried, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option; in an emergency, call 999.
Oliver and Abbie have been open about their parents as a “very loving” couple and say their memories are not defined by the tragedy but by decades of care and closeness. They want other families to push for help early and keep pushing.
The local NHS trust, now Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has offered condolences and says it has learned from this case. Earlier this year the Care Quality Commission again rated St James’ Hospital’s acute and intensive wards “Good” after a focused inspection, while noting wider capacity pressures.
If you need help now in the UK: Samaritans are available free, 24/7 on 116 123. You can also text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support, or call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option to reach a trained clinician. If life is at risk, call 999.
What we’re learning together: families shouldn’t be left to hold clinical risk alone. Asking for an EIP assessment, requesting a carer’s assessment, and insisting on a practical discharge plan are not demands - they are reasonable safeguards. Schools, universities and employers can help by signposting trusted services and making time to listen when someone says they’re not okay.