Statement in response to 2014 MARSIPAN report concerning case study of Averil Hart

Statement / comment
29 September 2020

Following a complaint made by Nic Hart on 18 December 2018 regarding the removal of a case study of his daughter Averil Hart’s tragic death from the 2014 MARSIPAN Report, we commissioned independent QC, Catherine Callaghan, to investigate and report on the events leading up to the withdrawal of the case study.

Ms Callaghan was asked to determine whether or not undue pressure was placed on Dr Robinson to withdraw the case study, by any employee or office holder of the College and/or any member of our Eating Disorders Faculty Executive Committee.

In conclusion, Ms Callaghan’s investigation report says: “I do not believe that the RCPsych (or any employee or office holder of the College, or any member of its Eating Disorders Faculty Executive Committee) placed any pressure on Dr Robinson to remove the case study.”

The College would like to express profound sympathy to the family of Averil Hart for her tragic death.  

Read the independent report.