A 27-year-old Oxford graduate died during a mental health crisis after a psychiatric nurse arranged for her to travel alone in a taxi to an assessment centre, an inquest has heard.

Georgina Hodson died on April 11, 2025, following an overdose at her flat in Victoria, central London. The circumstances surrounding her final journey were examined at an inquest in November 2026, where a coroner found that failures in her care had contributed to her death.

The day before she died, Hodson had been taken to St Thomas’ Hospital in south London during a mental health crisis. She was assessed by psychiatric nurse Ifeoma Onuorah, who arranged for her to attend the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service at St Charles Hospital in Kensington.

However, instead of being transported by ambulance or accompanied by a member of staff, Hodson was sent alone in a taxi.

The receiving assessment centre was not properly notified of her arrival, and no escort was arranged. Rather than completing the journey, Hodson diverted the taxi and returned to her own flat.

The court heard that although she had denied having immediate plans to end her life, medical staff were aware of concerns about her mental health and previous suicidal thoughts.

Her father, Nick Hodson, later became worried when he could not reach her and contacted police. Officers eventually entered her flat and found her unresponsive. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

During the inquest, Onuorah acknowledged that she should personally have contacted the assessment centre and arranged for Hodson to be accompanied or transported by ambulance.

She apologised, saying that in hindsight she should have taken additional steps to ensure the transfer was safe.

The family expressed anger and distress over the handling of Hodson’s care. Her mother, Kate Grimwade-Hodson, said her daughter had been reluctant to attend the assessment centre. Her sister, Becky Garnett-Buchma, described the care as “very lackadaisical.”

Coroner Sophie Mortimer recorded a conclusion of suicide and found that failures surrounding the hospital transfer had contributed to Hodson’s death. Evidence presented to the inquest also highlighted the importance of communication between the hospital teams responsible for her care.

Hodson had studied philosophy and theology at Worcester College, Oxford. Originally from Hunan Province in China, she was adopted and raised in Chester. Her family remembered her as intelligent, funny and full of life, with interests including tennis, running and playing the piano.

In a particularly poignant detail, Hodson had previously worked as an associate mental health worker for an NHS trust and had also served as a patient representative for the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Following the case, the NHS organizations involved said changes had been made to their procedures to improve the safety and coordination of patient transfers.

Her death has raised serious questions about how vulnerable patients are monitored when moving between medical facilities, and the safeguards that should be in place when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Source: DAILYMAIL