The devastated family of tragic Kirriemuir teenager Claire Taylor has expressed compassion for the GP found to have made misleading notes over their daughter’s death from virulent Type 1 diabetes.
Malcolm and Helen Taylor must now wait a further six months before a medical tribunal decides whether former Kirriemuir health centre doctor Michelle Watts will be sanctioned over her treatment of the popular 17-year-old in November 2012.
Following several days of evidence at a hearing in Manchester, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel this week delivered findings which criticised Dr Watts’ notes as “sloppy” and “disjointed”.
But the tribunal said that despite the GP’s omissions and inaccuracies it was “wholly unsatisfied” her actions were dishonest.
The Courier can also reveal that three other doctors working at the practice at the time were also investigated by the General Medical Council as part of the inquiry into the circumstances leading to Claire’s death.
Dr Karen Nicholson, Dr Christopher Unwin and Dr Rebecca Forrester were subject to scrutiny which found that although the care given to the teenager was below expected standards, when other matters were taken into account it was felt that no further action was required.
The GMC investigation subsequently led to the case involving Dr Watts.
The Taylor family have also launched a Court of Session damages action following the tragedy but Mr Taylor said he accepted they would now have to wait to learn if Dr Watts will be censured.
“It prolongs things and it would not be appropriate to make any detailed comment at this stage, but the tribunal has issued its statement of facts and we understand the process must be followed.
“It is an extremely difficult case for us all, but we do recognise that it is also a difficult time for another family.
“Dr Watts was quite open that Claire’s death had caused her real problems,” added Mr Taylor, the tribunal having heard the GP speak of her regret over the “catastrophic consequences” of the handling of Claire’s case.
He said the tribunal had highlighted how seldom a GP might encounter the situation where a young person is going quickly into diabetic ketoacidosis and the family has pledged to back the work of bodies such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Forum, for which they have already raised significant support since their daughter’s death.