Martin Bryant
19 Jan 2026 · Coroner Rebecca Mundy · Essex
This report repeats 2 earlier warnings. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. waiting in open reception area without supervision
“The reliance by EPUT that those suffering a mental health crisis will wait in the MHUCD's open reception area, from which they are free to come and go as desired, whilst medical authority and/or beds are secured for them”
2. prolonged waiting for mental health beds
“The lack of beds, locally and nationally, for mental health admissions and the suggestion given in evidence that patients can be waiting in the open reception area for days or sometimes weeks for a bed”
3. lack of secure waiting environment
“The reliance by EPUT that those suffering a mental health crisis will wait in the MHUCD's open reception area, from which they are free to come and go as desired, whilst medical authority and/or beds are secured for them”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“There is a lack of inpatient beds leading to unacceptable wait times in A&E for those suffering with their mental health who are awaiting beds.”
This report
“The lack of beds, locally and nationally, for mental health admissions and the suggestion given in evidence that patients can be waiting in the open reception area for days or sometimes weeks for a bed.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.80 · moderate
Earlier report
“The lack of inpatient beds leading to the unacceptable wait time in A&E for those suffering with their mental health”
This report
“The lack of beds, locally and nationally, for mental health admissions and the suggestion given in evidence that patients can be waiting in the open reception area”