Imogen Nunn

. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 39 Victoria St London SW1H 0EU

. National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind people. Portland House Belmont Business Park Durham DH1 1TW

I am Penelope SCHOFIELD, Senior Coroner for the coroner area of West Sussex, Brighton and Hove

INVESTIGATION On 04 January 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Imogen Alice NUNN (“Immy”) aged 25. The investigation has not yet concluded and the inquest is currently part heard and will resume on 20 th May 2025.

Immy, was profoundly deaf and used a cochlear implant. She suffered  from complex post-traumatic stress disorder and mixed personality disorder (with emotionally unstable, anxious and dependent traits). Although Immy could lip read she required an interpreter to assist her mental health practitioners in providing support.  Interpreters were not always available (particularly at short notice) and meetings and assessments had to take place without an interpreter present. In the months leading up to her death her mental health had been deteriorating. On the evening of 31st December 2022 Immy left her assistance dog in the care of her parents and attended a party with friends.  In the early hours of 1 st January 2023 Immy left the party and was reported as a high-risk missing person. Police Officers were able to contact Immy at 06:08 on 1st January 2023 and she stated she was safe and well at her home address. Officers have attended her home address to check in her but sadly they found Immy deceased having consumed [REDACTED], a substance she had bought online approximately 6 weeks before.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.  In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: (brief summary of matters of concern) During the course of the Inquest (which has yet to be concluded) I heard evidence that there was a lack of availability of British Sign Language Interpreters able to help support Deaf patients in the community who were being treated with mental health difficulties.  This was particularly apparent when mental health staff were seeking an interpreter at short notice for a patient who was in crisis. The lack of interpreters available has meant that urgent assessments are being carried out with no interpreters present. The overall lack of British Sign Language Interpreters has also meant that this Inquest has itself had to be delayed/adjourned for two months due to there being no available Interpreters to interpreter for two deaf witnesses over the two-week period of the Inquest.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you (and/or your organisations) have the power to take such action.