25-Year Old Woman Dies After Reportedly Being Denied Hospital Admission Despite Suicidal Thoughts

A 25-year-old charity worker tragically died by suicide just hours after reportedly being turned away from hospital care despite expressing suicidal thoughts, according to reports. The incident has raised concerns about access to mental health services in the UK.

​According to reports, Danielle Tuohy had waited 10 hours at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford on 22 January 2025, before leaving after being told she did not qualify for admission. The following day, a home treatment team from the Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust (KMMHT) spent roughly 80 minutes with her at her home to assess her risk.

​Occupational therapist Danielle Rix told the inquest that Danielle's suicidal thoughts were 'coming and going,' and that she had indicated no intent to act 'at this precise moment.'

However, Danielle had discussed a specific plan to take her own life, which involved taking a taxi to a motorway bridge. Within an hour after the team left, Danielle went to the bridge and died by suicide, per Kent Online.​

​The Tragedy After Being Turned Away by Hospital

​Hours after leaving Ashford's William Harvey Hospital, Tuohy committed suicide, falling off a bridge over the M20 onto motorway traffic. She was still in hospital clothing when she deliberately fell from the bridge.

​Danielle died at the scene after being struck by a vehicle. Hepburn ruled Danielle's death a suicide and acknowledged that Danielle had hoped the feeding tube would improve her condition, but said it had not.

Prior Health Struggles

​During the inquest, Coroner Katrina Hepburn highlighted her long-term struggle with a chronic stomach condition called gastroparesis, which slows digestion. She had reportedly undergone multiple treatments, including the insertion of a feeding tube, later upgraded to a PEG-J device, to deliver nutrition directly into her small intestine.

​Dr David Austin of EKHT, Danielle's gastroenterologist, said managing her tube turned problematic, which led to her frustration. Dr Austin said, 'I think managing the tube became a problem. I think she was frustrated that she still remained symptomatic.'

​The doctor continued, 'What intervention could I have instituted? I could have taken the PEG-J out. After discussion with Danielle, we decided we weren't going to. She sent me emails expressing uncertainty about how to proceed, mentioning the possibility of being admitted to an eating disorder unit or the William Harvey. She wondered if she needed to be an inpatient to avoid the cycle.'

Daily Life Despite Struggles

​Her chronic condition left Danielle experiencing severe nausea and substantial weight loss, at one point reducing her body weight to 5st 5lbs (34kg), and also took a toll on her mental well-being.

Despite challenges in her health, Danielle was active in her community, volunteering for Guts UK. The inquest heard she felt frustrated by restrictions on her diet at the hospital and by a lack of knowledge among staff regarding her PEG-J device.

​Moreover, Danielle had a passion for food and was known locally in Ashford for her detailed online reviews of tea cafes. She maintained a routine of three meals a day and was focused on gaining weight. However, the inquest heard that staff at NELFT, who oversaw her eating disorder care, told her she could not eat if it caused her to vomit.

Overall, the case has reignited debates over the availability and responsiveness of mental health services in the UK, with advocates calling for faster access to care, better risk assessments, and more robust support for those expressing suicidal thoughts.