Inadequate mental health services and long NHS waiting times contributed to the death of a 28-year-old trans woman, a coroner has ruled, warning that more trans people could die “unless action is taken”.
At the time of Sophie Williams’ death on 20 May 2021, the Northern Irish artist and activist was under the care of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH) in north London and had been waiting for a first appointment at a UK gender identity clinic for nearly five years.
Inadequate care provided by BEH and distress caused by immense wait times to access trans healthcare were among factors that “exacerbated” Williams’ mental health symptoms and “contributed to her death”, ruled assistant coroner John Taylor in a report handed down on 1 March by the North London Coroner’s Court. “There is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken,” he warned.
