HEALTH bosses are investigating whether more could have been done to help a “gifted” teenager who died after a long battle with anorexia.
Alice Rae, 18, died in her sleep after suffering from the eating disorder for two years. Her mother Dr Christine Rae made the tragic discovery at their Hampshire home.
Speaking of her daughter, Dr Rae said: “She was beautiful, clever and gifted. We were very proud of her.”
Alice, who achieved nine A* grades at GCSE, had been receiving out-patient treatment for anorexia at a clinic in Eastleigh run by Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust.
She had also been under private care during her two-year battle, as well as receiving help from the trust’s Eating Disorder Service at Barton Park.
The service includes a team of therapists, psychologists, a dietician and other health professionals for people who have been referred with a clinical eating disorder.
An inquiry has now been launched by the trust following the death of Alice, who was on course for a place at Cambridge University to study economics.
A spokesman stressed that the investigation was standard procedure following the death of a patient in its care.
He said that no complaint had been received from the family, although they were reportedly unhappy with the care Alice was receiving.
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