Inquest into suicide of anorexic 15-year-old hears how her family 'lacked support'

An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide has heard her family lacked support and information when she was treated for anorexia.

Pippa McManus, from Stockport, had struggled with the eating disorder for years and when she was treated at The Priory in Altrincham weighed just 27 kg (4.25 stone).

Pippa's father Jim described his family's torment with her struggle. "She used to say she had bad thoughts and wasn't allowed to do things - she couldn't even lick an ice-cream," he said, according to the BBC.

"She'd turn around and say: 'I'm not allowed'. Whatever was going on in her head was so strong she just couldn't comply."

Pippa was sectioned in September 2014 and treated at The Priory, which said during the inquest she had one of the most severe cases of anorexia they had ever seen.

In December 2015, she was released but was not considered high risk, although she had written "goodbye notes" to her family and doctors. Five days after being released, following a row she went to nearby Gatley train station and took her own life.

The jury at South Manchester Coroner's Court ruled that although discharging Pippa was the right decision, her family should have been given more information about the risk of suicide.

There was "inadequate engagement of community support" for her family and a "failure to implement a care plan in a timely manner." Priory hospital director Paula Stanford said: "Our heartfelt sympathies are with Pip's family and we will now carefully consider the findings of the jury."

Speaking outside court Pippa's mother Maria said: "We believe the failings of our daughter's care, from beginning to end, resulted in her death. The tear in the thread of our family will never be mended.

"Pip spent her last three years fighting against against anorexia, malnutrition, depression and self-harm. Too many of our children are dying from this terrible illness. Effective treatment is needed more quickly, and if this had been available to out beautiful daughter, maybe she would still be alive today."

The McManus family has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Anorexia and Bulimia Care in Pip's memory. Donations can be made at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/The-Pip-Foundation