Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the lack of psychology and other adolescent mental health services available to her daughter (Miss A) by Tayside NHS Board (the Board). In particular Mrs C was concerned that a failure to provide Miss A with appropriate services led to an escalation of Miss A's depression and subsequent eating disorder which ultimately contributed to her death by suicide in 2007. Mrs C also complained that her attempts to raise her concerns with the Board received a patchy and slow response that did not recognise the ongoing importance of the concerns she was raising.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Board failed to:
- (a) provide Miss A with access to appropriate psychology services (upheld);
- (b) provide Miss A with access to appropriate eating disorder services (upheld); and
- (c) handle Mrs C's complaint in a timely and appropriate manner (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) apologise in writing to Mrs C for all the failures identified in this report;
- (ii) review the current service provision of family therapy to adolescents with eating disorders; and
- (iii) consider the introduction of an Integrated Care Pathway designed around the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and NICE guidelines on the management of anorexia.