Louise Cooper

1. 1. revolving door of hospital admissions for anorexia nervosa

   “[the deceased] was known to have suffered with anorexia nervosa for many years and during that time her treatment had included a number of in-patient admissions at times when her extremely low weight became concerning. Neither [the deceased] nor her Father felt that these admissions were in fact helping her to improve.”

2. 2. insufficient daily supported eating for anorexia nervosa

   “[the deceased] had for some time also received treatment from an eating disorder service. Her treatment had included supported eating whereby once per week a professional would sit with her whilst she ate a meal. She responded positively to this. Indeed, it is of note that when her Father attended our court not long after her death, he commented that had [the deceased] been able to have a professional with her once per day whilst she ate, then the outcome for her may have been different and the costs of providing”

3. 3. unmet need for daily supported eating

   “The Consultant [name redacted] responsible for her care at the eating disorder service had tried to commission an increase in the level of supported eating for [the deceased] but unsuccessfully. She told the court [the deceased] needed this support at least once per day.”

4. 4. lack of sustained supported eating for vulnerable patients

   “There will be many patients such as [the deceased] who appear to make minimal if any improvement in a hospital setting but who may benefit - according to the clinicians treating them - from sustained supported eating. If that option is not available, these patients may be left with no realistic chance of any meaningful improvement.”

No published response was found on judiciary.uk.