Psychiatrist tells inquest he regrets not giving Gaia Pope mental health referral

Dorset teenager was discharged from hospital without community support a few weeks before her death

A psychiatrist has expressed regret for discharging the Dorset teenager Gaia Pope from hospital just weeks before her death without community mental health support, an inquest heard.

Dr Peter Jeffery completed a Mental Health Act assessment on 19-year-old Pope on 22 October 2017 after police took her to Poole hospital with what appeared to be psychotic symptoms. He decided she did not require admission to a psychiatric unit and instead she was sent home, Dorset coroner's court heard on Thursday.