Families Call for Legal Duty on GPs to Inform Families of Suicidal Patients
Two mothers, bereaved by the suicides of their daughters, are campaigning for a change in the law. They want GPs to have a legal duty to inform families if a patient expresses suicidal intentions. Issy Phipps, 17, and Sophie Woolcott, 27, both died after seeking help from their GP surgeries. The families believe that earlier intervention could have saved their daughters' lives.
The Tragic Cases of Issy Phipps and Sophie Woolcott
Issy Phipps, from Cookham, Berkshire, told her GP in Gloucestershire that she planned to take her own life. Despite also speaking to a mental health nurse, her next of kin were not contacted, and a referral was never followed through. She died at her family home a day later. Her mother, Sarah Renton, expressed disbelief that no one ensured her daughter's safety after she voiced her intentions. Internal reviews were conducted by both Gloucestershire and Berkshire health trusts following Issy's death.
Sophie Woolcott, a 27-year-old mother of three from Poole, Dorset, had a history of mental health conditions. Her family said she went to her GP surgery requesting to see a doctor, stating she was suicidal and needed a change to her medication. She was reportedly told that no one was available. After experiencing a manic episode she was asked to leave. Later that day, she took her own life. Her sister, Justine Woolcott, highlighted Sophie's desperate attempt to get help, indicating her desire to live.
A Joint Campaign for Legislative Change
Sophie's father, Steve Woolcott, initiated a petition to change the law, advocating for doctors to legally inform parents if their child threatens suicide. After Steve Woolcott noticed the similarities between Sophie's case and Issy's after seeing Issy's mother on BBC South Today, he made contact, but sadly passed away before the two mothers could meet. The families are now jointly campaigning for legislation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Government Response and the Balancing Act
The Department of Health and Social Care stated that they "sympathise with the pain and anguish felt by bereaved families". They added that GPs already have a duty to share information when patients lack the capacity to consent, when it is in the person's best interest, or when it is in the public interest. However, they emphasize that GPs must balance patient confidentiality with the urgent need to prevent suicide. The statement also included the need to consider the fact that if the method of suicide could cause potential serious harm to others they have a right to share patient information.
"Common Sense" and a Lasting Legacy
Sarah Renton believes the current guidelines are flawed, stating that involving family is "just common sense" and often the "best place" to ensure someone's safety. Amanda Woolcott hopes that a change in the law could be a lasting legacy for Issy and Sophie, preventing similar tragedies from occurring. The families seek to prevent others from experiencing the pain they are enduring.
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