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Four-stone teenager's coma risk Four-stone teenager's coma risk
(about 2 hours later)
An anorexic teenager whose family say was left waiting for psychiatric help remains too weak to leave hospital.An anorexic teenager whose family say was left waiting for psychiatric help remains too weak to leave hospital.
Lauren Martin, who weighs just four stone, was admitted to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald last Thursday.Lauren Martin, who weighs just four stone, was admitted to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald last Thursday.
She will not eat and at 17 is medically classed as an adult so doctors cannot intervene to force her to. They will not do so unless she goes into a coma.She will not eat and at 17 is medically classed as an adult so doctors cannot intervene to force her to. They will not do so unless she goes into a coma.
Her sister Janice Farr said her weight "needs to be stabilised or her heart could fail and she could go into coma".Her sister Janice Farr said her weight "needs to be stabilised or her heart could fail and she could go into coma".
"She's still medically unfit to leave the hospital - it's a matter now of trying to build up her strength," she told the BBC's Nolan Show."She's still medically unfit to leave the hospital - it's a matter now of trying to build up her strength," she told the BBC's Nolan Show.
Lauren's family had contacted the programme with their concerns she had waited four days without seeing a psychiatrist.Lauren's family had contacted the programme with their concerns she had waited four days without seeing a psychiatrist.
As a trust, we recognise the need for better communications with relatives and we will take time to reflect on how we can improve communications in the future Ulster Hospital statement She received psychiatric attention on Tuesday afternoon.As a trust, we recognise the need for better communications with relatives and we will take time to reflect on how we can improve communications in the future Ulster Hospital statement She received psychiatric attention on Tuesday afternoon.
Ms Farr said the family had spent days "trying to reason with her, trying to get her to eat or drink something, which was impossible, as she was in such a mental state that nobody could get through to her".Ms Farr said the family had spent days "trying to reason with her, trying to get her to eat or drink something, which was impossible, as she was in such a mental state that nobody could get through to her".
"I can't blame the doctors and nurses, as they did try to speak to Lauren, but speaking to Lauren does not work - if you ask them if they want to eat or drink, they're going to say no."I can't blame the doctors and nurses, as they did try to speak to Lauren, but speaking to Lauren does not work - if you ask them if they want to eat or drink, they're going to say no.
"Lauren actually said to me last night after speaking to these experts, 'I will agree to try to help myself but I know I can say no at any time'.""Lauren actually said to me last night after speaking to these experts, 'I will agree to try to help myself but I know I can say no at any time'."
In a statement, the Ulster Hospital said: "A psychiatric assessment was a requirement in assessing the care and treatment of the patient - the urgency which has become attached to this case was not considered to be the case when the referral was first made.In a statement, the Ulster Hospital said: "A psychiatric assessment was a requirement in assessing the care and treatment of the patient - the urgency which has become attached to this case was not considered to be the case when the referral was first made.
"A psychiatric assessment was not determinant to the care and attention given. The care and treatment given to the patient was consistent with their condition. The appropriate care and attention linked to assessed needs was administered."A psychiatric assessment was not determinant to the care and attention given. The care and treatment given to the patient was consistent with their condition. The appropriate care and attention linked to assessed needs was administered.
"The family needed a level of reassurance at an early stage regarding the planned care and treatment programme - this could have averted any media attention."The family needed a level of reassurance at an early stage regarding the planned care and treatment programme - this could have averted any media attention.
"As a trust, we recognise the need for better communications with relatives and we will take time to reflect on how we can improve communications in the future.""As a trust, we recognise the need for better communications with relatives and we will take time to reflect on how we can improve communications in the future."