Gloucestershire mum joins calls for inquiry into eating disorder deaths
A petition is being launched to raise the issue with ministers
Last updated 25th Sep 2024
A mother from Gloucestershire is joining calls for a confidential inquiry into avoidable deaths from eating disorders.
The campaign, led by organiser Hope Virgo, looks to involve families in the treatment of those suffering from conditions such as anorexia.
Campaigners are calling for inquiries to pinpoint where treatment failed and may have contributed to the patient's death.
Debbie Taylor, a mum from Cheltenham, has now spoken out in favour of the proposals after her daughter Zara took her own life in 2021 after suffering with eating disorders.
"There's no accountability within the eating disorder unit, so they don't have to report everything that's going on at all," Debbie said.
"And we basically want to be able to go in and just see what's going on. Let's have a look and let's find out how we can support our patients better."
Debbie said that after being admitted to hospital, Zara was mistreated by hospital staff - which in turn led to poor treatment for her condition.
She admitted that had she received better, more targeted care - Zara may still have been alive.
"I do believe had she gotten the right support, she would still be with us today, 100%," she said.
"She was willing to try out a different treatment. And I mean, she was writing to ministers saying 'Please, I'm willing to try this,' and no one would let her try that."
The petition currently has hundreds of signatures, but requires 100,000 to be debated in Parliament.
In the meantime, Debbie has urged others who were in her situation to speak out against mistreatment.
"I would say not to give up and fight for what they believe is right," she said in a message to parents.
"They know their loved ones better than anybody else and to speak up if they can see things are going wrong.
Speak up and, I think, not to be afraid to do that because ultimately it's their lives and it's your family so fight for them."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Lord Darzi’s report shed light on the terrible state of the NHS and eating disorder services, with hospital admissions for eating disorders increasing by 82% since 2019/20.
"We will fix the NHS and ensure those living with the condition are given the support they need, by recruiting an extra 8,500 adult and child mental health staff, investing in community mental health hubs and putting mental health support in every school.
“Clinical guidance is clear that decisions on referrals and discharge should never be made based solely on weight or BMI.”