The inquest has heard Lioulios asphyxiated herself later on July 4 with a seatbelt in the back of the prison van, which was taking her from the ACT Magistrates Court to the Belconnen Remand Centre.

The mother of two died from her injuries eight days later at Calvary Hospital.

Mental health nurse Claire Bickmore told the inquest yesterday that police had brought Lioulios into the hospital's psychiatric services unit twice early on the morning of her death.

The 42-year-old Kambah woman was taken to the hospital after she was arrested for breaching a protection order by going to the home of her former lover, prominent Canberra psychiatrist Hugh Veness.

Ms Bickmore told the court she believed the police officers' fears that Lioulios would self-harm were unfounded, despite the fact Lioulios had been treated at the hospital the previous day after a suicide attempt.

Lioulios was then taken to the police watch-house, but the sergeant in charge, alarmed at her mental state, sent her back to the hospital, where Ms Bickmore again saw her.

Under cross-examination by John Purnell, SC, counsel for Dr Veness, Ms Bickmore said Lioulios told her she would kill herself when she was released from jail.

''Is that not a cry for help?'' Mr Purnell asked. ''Not necessarily,'' the nurse replied. She said because the threats of self-harm related to a future event, she believed they were unlikely to be acted on in the short term.

The inquest also heard from the arresting officers, constables Jessica Brenner and Peter Hockings, who said they were surprised the hospital had declined to admit Lioulios.

The inquest continues today.