Zachary Klement

26 Jan 2023 · Coroner Anna Loxton · Surrey

The coroner's concerns

1. lack of consideration for neurodiverse needs in care options
“lack of consideration for those with neurodiverse conditions in the care options available, and the lack of availability of appropriate therapies”
2. inpatient mental health units unsuitable for neurodiverse patients
“Inpatient mental health units adversely affect those with neurodiverse conditions since they require calm and structure. There are no inpatient options tailored to patients with neurodiverse conditions presenting in acute crisis”
3. lack of continuity and predictability in home treatment
“Home Treatment Teams do not offer continuity of staff or set appointment times, as they are a crisis team allocated according to demand. This stability is required by those suffering from ASD”
4. unavailable psychological interventions for neurodiverse conditions
“There is a lack of availability of psychological interventions, being the main treatment for neurodiverse conditions, including art therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) ([the deceased] was placed on a waiting list)”