An Angus family whose teenage daughter tragically died from diabetes has launched a Court of Session action over an alleged misdiagnosis.
Kirriemuir girl Claire Taylor passed away suddenly in November 2012 following a two-week spell of suffering from an apparent viral infection.
While being cared for at home, her condition rapidly deteriorated and despite the desperate attempts of paramedics, she could not be saved.
Claire’s devastated family said at the time that it was a mystery what had taken the life of their daughter, but it was subsequently discovered that she had been the victim of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.
It has now emerged that Claire’s parents, Malcolm and Helen, have launched proceedings in the Court of Session against Kirriemuir Health Centre and Dr Michelle Watts, associate medical director, primary care services for NHS Tayside.
Dr Watts is understood to have been a partner in the Kirriemuir practice at the time of Claire’s death.
She is also a former member of staff at the Whitfield surgery in Dundee and has declined to comment on the matter.
Kirriemuir Health Centre also made no comment on the court proceedings, which are in their early stages.
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “We do not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff.”
Claire’s father, Malcolm, told The Courier that in light of the court action it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.
A keen young baker and a very popular pupil at Webster’s High School in Kirriemuir, Claire had set her heart on a career as a dietician.
She is also survived by her brothers, Dougie and Andrew, and since their tragic loss the family have raised awareness of the condition and significant funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Forum (JDRF).
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an immune system problem and those affected by it requite multiple daily insulin injections or pump infusions.
Among the events the Taylor family organised on behalf of JDRF was a sell-out Kirriemuir dinner, which generated a five-figure sum.
The international charity Mary’s Meals also received support from the family following Claire’s funeral, and an awareness event in Kirriemuir helped boost interest in the work of organisations including JDRF and Diabetes UK Scotland.