June 26th 2007-07-02

NOF welcomes the decision taken at the BMA Annual Representative Meeting in Torquay not to call for the prosecution of parents of obese children for neglect [see The Scotsman 09 June 007 below]  The motion was too sweeping and simplistic. 

 

It might be necessary, however, in certain extreme cases where the neglect is such that the children’s health and well-being is in real danger.  In the UK the issue was first raised with the case an 8yr boy of 14 stone who was the subject of a case conference.  In the end the authorities did not remove him from his mother and it is not yet apparent whether this was a good decision.  The NOF fears that the contract drawn up between Wallsend Social Services and the family to voluntarily get Connor back into shape may not be honoured.  His case, however, has brought to light many similar situations both in the UK and abroad and these undoubtedly sparked the BMA Meeting motion.