A man whose wife took her own life after what he has described as a lack of care from the NHS is calling for an overhaul.

Beverley Cushing, 58, died at her home in Aylesford in May.

Speaking to KentOnline, her husband Darren Cushing said the "whole mental health process needs addressing" after she only had three appointments with a psychiatric doctor in 10 months.

He added: "When you’re calling someone because you need help, and they sound more stressed than you, there’s a problem."

Coroner James Dillon recorded how Mrs Cushing had taken her own life at home on May 31 after suffering from a period of depression.

She had been taking anti-depressants since 2014 and was passed into the care of the mental health crisis team after suffering a depressive episode and overdose in October 2021 - following the loss of her job as a shop assistant with Tesco.

Subsequent appointments with psychiatrist Dr Adina Parkes had seen some improvements in her mood but after she was referred in March 2022 to the occupational therapy team she was left for weeks without further contact.

Husband Darren said his wife’s mental state had taken a turn for the worse while they waited.

“I think the occupational therapy care team was missing completely," he said. “I was told the occupational therapy team were supposed to be keeping an eye on her. That was missing. We were left from March in the abyss.

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“Throughout the process contacting anyone in mental health services has been a nightmare.”

He added: “The point I'm trying to make is there has been a massive failing here.”

Dr Parkes said she had been confident Mrs Cushing’s mood had been heading in the right direction following their last appointment, but said mental health issues inevitably involved ups and downs. She also confirmed responsibility for care had been passed to the occupational therapy team.

Mr Cushing asked for an explanation of the perceived failings but was told an internal investigation had been launched to look at potential failures and future improvements.

The coroner noted there had been no contact with Mr and Mrs Cushing from the team, apart from two unsuccessful attempts to call them.

'When you’re calling someone because you need help, and they sound more stressed than you, there’s a problem...'

After recording a verdict of suicide he added: “She had been under ongoing treatment for mental health and was awaiting contact from occupational therapists.”

The coroner also ordered a copy of the internal NHS report and deferred a decision on making a potential further report on preventing future deaths.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Cushing said his wife would be sorely missed, adding: “The whole mental health process needs addressing.

"They haven’t got the resources. When you’re calling someone because you need help, and they sound more stressed than you, there’s a problem. It needs sorting.

“The crisis team at one point had been working 13-hour days.

“The whole thing had been going on for ten months and she only had three appointments."

A spokesperson for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust said: “Our deepest sympathies go to Mrs Cushing’s family.

“We have been conducting a thorough investigation into the services we provided to Mrs Cushings, which has involved speaking to her family. It wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further until this review has been completed and shared with both the family and the coroner.”