This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33511578

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Emily Titterington death: Voice 'not heard' by agencies Emily Titterington death: Voice 'not heard' by agencies
(about 5 hours later)
The voice of a vulnerable 16-year-old who died from a constipation-induced heart attack "was not heard" despite seven agencies being involved in her care, a serious case review has found.The voice of a vulnerable 16-year-old who died from a constipation-induced heart attack "was not heard" despite seven agencies being involved in her care, a serious case review has found.
Some professionals at the time questioned whether Emily Titterington's illness was induced by the emotional challenges being faced by her mother.Some professionals at the time questioned whether Emily Titterington's illness was induced by the emotional challenges being faced by her mother.
Her parents felt experts did not understand her issues, the review said.Her parents felt experts did not understand her issues, the review said.
Agencies across the country are being urged to learn from the case. They released a statement saying they devoted themselves to Emily.
Agencies across the country have been urged to learn from the case.
Emily collapsed and died at home at St Austell in February 2013.Emily collapsed and died at home at St Austell in February 2013.
At an inquest into her death earlier this month, the Coroner for Cornwall concluded the cause of death was "natural causes contributed by psycho-social factors".At an inquest into her death earlier this month, the Coroner for Cornwall concluded the cause of death was "natural causes contributed by psycho-social factors".
'Don't understand''Don't understand'
The serious case review said seven agencies were involved with her and her family during the last three years of her life.The serious case review said seven agencies were involved with her and her family during the last three years of her life.
It said "the voice of the child was not heard or accessible" and no professional knew what Emily herself "thought would help her most in life".It said "the voice of the child was not heard or accessible" and no professional knew what Emily herself "thought would help her most in life".
Emily, who was home educated and had mild autism, lived in a rural area with her parents in a "fixed, unchallenged family dynamic" that was "difficult" to work with, according to the review.Emily, who was home educated and had mild autism, lived in a rural area with her parents in a "fixed, unchallenged family dynamic" that was "difficult" to work with, according to the review.
Chairman of Cornwall's Safeguarding Children Board (SCB), John Clements, said: "The hypothesis is the mother had her own emotional difficulties, and as a consequence... whatever relationship that existed with her daughter caused a number of conditions within her daughter".Chairman of Cornwall's Safeguarding Children Board (SCB), John Clements, said: "The hypothesis is the mother had her own emotional difficulties, and as a consequence... whatever relationship that existed with her daughter caused a number of conditions within her daughter".
He added there was no suggestion this was deliberate and admitted "we don't really understand the full circumstances". He said there was no suggestion this was deliberate and admitted "we don't really understand the full circumstances".
Emily was seen by a number of medical professionals in the lead up to her death, but had refused to go to hospital.Emily was seen by a number of medical professionals in the lead up to her death, but had refused to go to hospital.
In a statement released through their lawyer, Mr and Mrs Titterington said they both regularly contacted their daughter's GP surgery regarding her health.
"Emily's mother Geraldine, 59, had battled with her daughter to be medically examined in the period leading up to her death, but her protests were in vain," the statement said.
It added they "continue to grieve the loss of their daughter" who they "devoted themselves to."
They stressed doctors expressed no concerns to social services about parental involvement during a thorough review of Emily's care in 2012.
The serious case review found there was a lack of continuity across the healthcare system and "no clear clinical leader to grip her chronic health problem".The serious case review found there was a lack of continuity across the healthcare system and "no clear clinical leader to grip her chronic health problem".
Mr Clements said a number of recommendations had been made, including working to make sure a vulnerable child's voice is heard.Mr Clements said a number of recommendations had been made, including working to make sure a vulnerable child's voice is heard.
"The last thing we ever want is for anything like this to happen again," he said."The last thing we ever want is for anything like this to happen again," he said.