A Perth artist took her own life just hours after being allowed to leave a mental health clinic without being psychiatrically assessed, the Perth Coroners Court has been told.

Key points: Mel Tregonning sought medical help several times in the last 48 hours of her life

Mel Tregonning sought medical help several times in the last 48 hours of her life A misunderstanding led to her being sent home from Alma Street Clinic

A misunderstanding led to her being sent home from Alma Street Clinic A GP was "shocked" Ms Tregonning was allowed to leave without being assessed

Mel Tregonning, 31, was found by her father in the shed she used as a studio at her family's Willetton home early on May 13, 2014.

An inquest is now examining the circumstances surrounding her death, and in particular concerns by Ms Tregonning's family that in the 48 hours leading up to her death she was not psychiatrically assessed, despite seeing several different medical professionals.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Fleur Allen, said Ms Tregonning first presented herself to St John of God Hospital in Murdoch on May 11, but left after telling a nurse she did not want to see a doctor and was feeling better.

Ms Allen said the next day, Ms Tregonning's father took her to a medical clinic where she had been receiving treatment for years for a genetic condition.

An illustration from Mel Tregonning's children's book Small Things. ( Supplied: Allen & Unwin )

The inquest heard Ms Tregonning was very distressed, and a doctor advised her to immediately attend a medical centre to see a GP for a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

She did so, but returned to the same centre later that day, when another GP — who assessed her as being at very high risk and in need of urgent psychiatric assessment — arranged for an ambulance to take her to Fremantle Hospital.

The inquest was told that at the hospital, Ms Tregonning was seen by emergency department junior doctor Zhi Kung, who tried repeatedly but unsuccessfully to get her psychiatrically assessed by specialist medical staff.

She was eventually sent to the Alma Street Clinic for assessment, but because of a misunderstanding Ms Tregonning — who the inquest heard appeared relaxed and not distressed — was allowed to return to home with her father.

Doctor 'expected patient to be seen'

Giving evidence via telephone link, Dr Kung testified he "would not have let Ms Tregonning go" to the Alma Street Clinic if he had known she was not going to be assessed.

"Suicide is quite a high risk thing and I didn't feel comfortable being the only one who had seen the patient," he said.

"I expected the patient to be seen by a member of the psychiatric team."

The inquest is examining details of Ms Tregonning's medical treatment before her death. ( Supplied: Tregonning family )

Elena Vysotskaya, a GP who saw Ms Tregonning at the medical centre earlier in the day and arranged for her to be taken to hospital in an ambulance, said she believed the artist needed "urgent assessment" for depression and suicidal ideation.

Under questioning from Coroner Sarah Linton, Dr Vysotskaya said she was "shocked" to find out after Ms Tregonning's death that she had not been psychiatrically assessed.

Speaking after the hearing, Ms Tregonning's sister Violet said the family was hoping the inquest would provide them with answers.