Investigation and inquest
In November 2014 an Inquest into the death of Emma Carpenter was opened, and it was resumed on 22nd June 2015, concluding on 13th July 2013. A Narrative Conclusion was recorded as follows: “Emma Charlotte Victoria Carpenter died at The Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham as a result of Multi Organ Failure caused by severe Anorexia Nervosa. Her death was contributed to by delay in accessing effective inpatient treatment and physical health monitoring prior to September 2005”.
Circumstances of the death
Miss Carpenter was treated as an outpatient at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Thorneywood Unit of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (the “Trust”) from February 2004 to November 2006. During this time there was insufficient monitoring of her physical health, and in particular no specialist input by paediatricians or physicians.
Coroner’s concerns
1. The Trust has now set up a specialist Eating Disorder Service for children and adolescents, and reports that although this service now has good professional links with named paediatricians at Kings Mill Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre, there are no equivalent links with Bassetlaw Hospital.