Emma Hamilton, Katie’s mother said: “To know Katie died in torment not receiving the professional help she needed and deserved is something no family should have to go through. There are many resource issues within mental health services, but there are other very important issues. It is the attitudes, beliefs and training that some health professionals have about people with mental health problems that lead to deaths like Katie’s.
It can no longer be acceptable, or safe, to be diagnosis-led in caring for people like Katie. My daughters NHS care was entirely led by her diagnosis. The assumptions, judgements and discrimination is common for people diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. People with this psychiatric label are often felt to be attention- seeking and not deserving of respect and care.
Well I can tell you that my daughter was much, much more than her diagnosis and difficulties. She was intelligent compassionate, wise and loving and I am so very proud to have had her as my daughter for 26 years. It could, and should, have been for much longer"
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