Norfolk couple calls for end to negligent anorexia care

Posted 24/09/2009

A Norfolk couple whose daughter was killed by an eating disorder have called for an end to clinical negligence in anorexia care.

Christopher and Pauline Robinson made a successful compensation claim against Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust after delays in their daughter Charlotte’s treatment contributed to her death.

However, they have since donated the payout to Norwich eating disorder charity Beat in an effort to raise awareness of negligent care when treating the illness, the Eastern Daily Press reports.

The couple have also called for changes to be made to the health system in order to ensure that eating disorders are dealt with promptly by healthcare professionals.

Susan Ringwood, chief executive of Beat, concurred with the Robinsons, saying: “In Charlotte’s case it appears the GP knew she was ill and still did not act quickly enough. This failing cannot happen again.”

Trefine Maynard, a clinical negligence specialist at Ashtons Legal, said: “This case sadly illustrates the problem experienced by all too many patients with delays in getting referral to an appropriate specialist.

“This can have devastating and tragic consequences as it did in this case. It is clear that the family had recognised the problems and had sought help from the health service but were let down by those in whom they had placed their trust.

“As with many patients and their families who query what has gone wrong with medical treatment, it is obvious that as well as seeking answers about what went wrong they desperately wanted to help others facing the same problems that their daughter faced, and to help others avoid going through the tragic events they have endured.”

Last month, a study by the Imperial Centre for Patient Safety and Service Quality revealed that clinicians may be making mistakes in around 15 per cent of their diagnoses.