Grieving mother: I want more answers on Kirsty's death

Heartbroken Julie Fallows has said she refuses to let things rest following the death of her 23-year-old daughter Kirsty Derry who died of heart failure as a result of being diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

It is a condition which sees people keep wanting to eat all the time.

An inquest held at Cannock Coroners Court last week heard how Kirsty's weight had significantly increased to 19 stone when she died two years ago on July 20, 2013 at her care-assisted bungalow at Victoria Mews in Altona Close in Stone.

Staffordshire (South) Senior Coroner Andrew Haigh said she died of a natural condition which was 'not affectively addressed.'

But the verdict left Ms Fallows, who lives in Stone, bitterly disappointed.

She said: "I am very disappointed in the outcome of the inquest.

"Kirsty's death could have been prevented and I don't want it to happen to any other mum ever. That was the whole purpose of the day and I do feel aggrieved that I didn't get what I wanted.

"But I do intend to take this further. I'm not sure what my next step will be but if I can help stop it happening to one more person then that's all I'll strive to do. I have to keep fighting this.

"I gave her safety over to social services and they failed so I have to do something. I can't let this rest because it was preventable - it shouldn't have happened.

"I thought the coroner, who was was very good, was going along the same lines suggesting nothing was done but we don't always get what we wish for."

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a condition that is very rare and affects one in every 15,000 child born in England.

Kirsty had been living at her care-assisted bungalow since October 2012 after her condition began to deteriorate to worrying levels. At first she received assisted technology - in the form of alarms - to help control her eating habits but this was removed in January - seven months before she died.

Her Body Mass Index (BMI) was recorded at 42.1 at the time of her death.

At the inquest Dr Paul Hiley, who examined Kirsty's body, said an individual would be described as obese at 30 with a normal BMI measured between 19 and 25.

And concerns were raised by her family who claimed her accommodation was not suitable to her growing needs. In an email to Staffordshire County Council, dated June 20, Ms Fallows' said her living situation was a 'death sentence' and called for her to be moved to a new home.

Ms Fallow's strongly worded email then triggered several meetings between the county council and Creative Support, which ran her accommodation and which also expressed concern to the county council.

But despite a number of meetings taking place, nothing was actively done to move her.

Social workers, who cared for Kirsty before she died, said despite her health deteriorating she still had the mental capacity required to allow her to make her own decisions. This meant caring staff could only make recommendations on what she should eat and not control her diet.

In his verdict Coroner Andrew Haigh said the council were not to blame for Kirsty's death but said lessons could be learnt.

After the inquest, Ms Fallows added: "I tried my best to control her eating, but she was always ravenous and tried everything to get her hands on food.

"Before Kirsty went into supported living, I had a fridge and freezer in a pantry with a locked door, and the cupboards were high so she couldn't reach them – food wasn't readily available.

"Kirsty decided she wanted to live independently – she was a grown up and I wasn't in a position to stop her.

"Of course I wanted her to stay at home with me, it's a mother's instinct – but I wanted her to be happy and have what she wanted.

"I thought she'd be safe and happy in a supported living environment."

Bosses from Staffordshire County Council said it had learned lessons from Kirsty's death and has since then held a 'comprehensive' review so events do not repeat themselves.

County Councillor Alan White, cabinet member for social and health care said: "This was a tragic incident and we want to extend our sympathies to Kirsty's family.

"A comprehensive learning review has been undertaken as a result of this, and we have already acted on the recommendations contained within it.

"We have also reviewed all of the adults in Staffordshire with Prader-Willi Syndrome to ensure they continue to be offered the support they need, and that any assessed care needs are being addressed."

But Mrs Fallows said she did not believe the actions of the county council had been affective enough.

"What are these lessons they have put in place? They haven't reiterated what them lessons are. There still remains questions unanswered."