Speaking at the inquest for Natasha Maria Ryan, held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, April 22, a representative of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust promised they were considering how they can take a more active approach to engagement with patients.

Ms Ryan had suffered ongoing mental and physical health problems but struggled to secure treatment with the trust and Coroner Darren Salter said he was concerned by the organisation’s lack of engagement.

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The 25-year-old was found dead by police in her Oxford bedroom at just past 2.30pm on July 3, 2025.

Born in Wandsworth, she was last seen on the 28 June by her boyfriend who raised the alarm with the police.

Mr Hussein had met her on an online dating app and the last time they were together was at the cinema.

He said: “She was in pain; she felt her body was giving up on her however the services that were meant to help her did not.”

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court (Image: NQ)

Police officers attended her house just after midnight and then came back later in the day when they forced entry.

After her discovery a toxicology assessment found Tramadol in her system, a prescription-only opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Around 3,700 nanograms per millilitre was measured which does constitute an overdose but is not considered a particularly high one.

The medication was prescribed to Ms Ryan who suffered from fibromyalgia a chronic disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties.

Bury Knowle Health Centre where Dr Gregory Lloyd is based (Image: Google Maps)

Despite this, it could not be determined for certain that she had taken her own life.

Mr Salter said: “I do not think there is sufficient evidence that Natasha took an overdose with the intention of taking her own life.”

She had previously overdosed on paracetamol in October 2024 for which she had been taken to hospital but since then it was not thought she had expressed suicidal thoughts.

Indeed at an appointment in June 2025 – the month of her death – with specialist nurse Sophie O’Keefe she seemed positive and said she wanted to return to education. 

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As well as fibromyalgia, Ms Ryan suffered from an eating disorder and though she was referred by her GP Dr Gregory Lloyd to the Oxford Health Trust’s complex needs team, she struggled to make her appointments either cancelling or missing them which she said was due to her chronic pain.

At one point she was discharged back to her GP because of this lack of engagement.

At the assessment with Ms O’Keefe she refused to be weighed which may have made it difficult for her to be transferred to the complex needs service, which requires a BMI.

In any case, at that time the waiting period for referral to the service was 18 months.  That has now come down to half a year.

Craig Heigold, paramedic and service manager at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Image: NQ)

Craig Heigold, a service manager at the trust, spoke at the inquest including about a ‘huddle report’ conducted after Ms Ryan’s death with all those involved in her care.

“There have been learnings from this,” he pledged.

He said they are reviewing how they can take a more active approach to engagement with a report set to be published in August this year.

The coroner, Mr Salter, said the lack of active engagement with her by the trust was a source of concern but that he was satisfied that it was being looked into.

Her uncle Matteo Cocomazzi was present and described her as “warm” and that she loved drawing and creating small items such as jewellery.

He said: “She continues to live in my heart and in my thoughts; she was a woman of great worth.”

The Horse and Harrow pub in West Hagbourne has been put on the market for £950,000 by Savills, several years after its closure.

Controversially, in April 2024, a planning application for the site was approved by South Oxfordshire District councillors, a decision that came a month after the councillors unanimously went against officers recommendations to approve the conversion.

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As such, the description for its listing states: “Planning granted for the change use of existing public house to provide a three-bed dwelling and a four-bed dwelling as well as the erection of two four-bed dwellings and a five-bed dwelling on the land adjacent.”

After the conversion of the pub was approved in 2024, councillors expressed their sadness at the news.

Ali Gordon-Creed, Green councillor of the Chinnor ward, said: “I feel really sad. We have no choice to get rid of one remaining community building in this village.

South Oxfordshire District Councillor Ali Gordon-Creed (Image: Vale Green Group)

“That is the feedback we’ve had.”

A viability study by estate company Savills from October 2022 found the pub was “unviable” as a business.

It added: “There are better located venues with superior facilities within close proximity.”

After the application to convert the site was initially rejected in March 2024, councillors were given an appeal report and several subsequently changed their minds.

One official said the application now did “actually support the committee in a number of ways”.

He added: “What I did like is I think it only slightly goes in favour of the applicant.

Councillor Ken Arlett (Image: VOWHDC)

“There are 24 conditions – normally a reasonable application might get seven or eight conditions.”

But councillor Ken Arlett, then a Conservative, said: “Nothing really has changed. I understand why it’s come back to us but this hasn’t changed my mind or opinion.

“I think the inspector is wrong and I certainly will not support the officers’ recommendation. I still believe it is a financially viable enterprise if it is run properly.”

Objectors conceded the pub had become an “unwelcome” place.

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A council officer said: “There has been a sharp decline in use of the pub.

“A lot of competition has made it difficult for a pub in a small village.”

Councillor Ed Sadler, of the Chinnor ward, said one thing the appeal report had shed light on was that there was “actually another pub in Upton in walking distance and the community had met there”.

“I think that’s quite telling,” the Liberal Democrat added.

A consortium made up of Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach secured an £82.5m deal in January 2023.

This was a key part of the wider Oxfordshire Enhanced Bus Partnership to deliver the electric vehicles, along with the necessary charging equipment to support them.

The council was awarded £32.8m from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, with a further £43.7m coming from the bus companies and £6m from the council itself.

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The scheme has now been named the winner of the Best Public Transport Decarbonisation Award at the inaugural Decarbonising Transport Awards.

Representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach travelled to London to receive the award during a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park.

An electric bus (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The Decarbonising Transport Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts from across the transport and environment sectors, and the move towards electric buses was described by organisers as “an excellent example of building on government funding to deliver a wide range of benefits”.

Last month, provisional data suggested that roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations across Oxford reduced by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024.

That figure was as high as 24 per cent in areas of high bus traffic such as High Street and St Aldates. Each electric bus delivers significant environmental benefits, including zero tailpipe emissions.

The analysis by the Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams, in partnership with Oxford University, investigated air and noise pollution changes before, during and after the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company (Image: Fortitude Communications)

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “This partnership is delivering exactly what it set out to do, so it’s therefore pleasing to see it get the recognition it deserves.

“Electric buses are making a significant difference when it comes to reducing emissions and improving air quality in Oxford.

“The community continues to benefit from this progressive initiative, demonstrating what is possible when key stakeholders are aligned and have a shared vision.”

Dave Harrison, the county council’s public transport team leader, said: “The introduction of 159 electric buses in Oxford has saved 7,233 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and has also resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, reduction in city noise, and measurable health and economic benefits for residents.

“We’re thrilled that all the parties involved have been recognised with this award, and even more pleased with how popular the vehicles are with passengers – and the fact that there are now even more on the road thanks to our partnership with the bus operators.”

Oxford Bus Company ordered 104 Wrightbus Electroliner vehicles, consisting of 91 double-decker, five single-decker and eight open-top vehicles, as part of the initial investment, while 104 charging points were installed at the Cowley House depot.

Stagecoach secured 55 vehicles from manufacturer Alexander Dennis, with the same number of chargers installed at their Network Oxford site.

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of what can be achieved when operators and local authorities work together with a clear, shared ambition.

“The results we’re now seeing are incredibly encouraging, and this milestone is just the beginning.”

Oxford Bus Company recently announced that an additional 13 new electric buses are taking to Oxfordshire’s roads following an investment of more than £5.1m.

The Go-Ahead Group, the parent business of the Oxford Bus Company, spent £3.9m, with an additional £1.2m investment from the county council via its Vehicle Improvement Fund grant scheme.

The buses, produced by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis, will be serving the 35 route to Abingdon, 46 to Great Milton, ST2 to Wytham, and the 21 service between Bicester and Chesterton.