Britney parents to sue practice
Move afte r tragic teen’s GP cleared
THE mum of tragic teen Britney Mazzoncini is planning to sue the medical practice that prescribed her daughter medication.
Britney, 16, died last July after taking an overdose of anti-anxiety pills that had been prescribed by a trainee GP.
Earlier this month The Sunday Post revealed how a General Medical Council investigation cleared the doctor of causing Britney’s death.
But mum Annette McKenzie has revealed she is now planning to sue – and has instructed lawyers to recover damages.
“I owe it to her to do the right thing and seek justice,” said Annette, 35, of Glasgow.
“I have spoken to a lawyer and instructed him to seek ways of taking action. My partner and Britney’s dad, Raymond, feel we cannot let this rest.”
Britney sought medical help after being subjected to vile Facebook bullying.
Her doctor prescribed powerful medication which she used to kill herself.
The incident prompted mum Annette to complain to the GMC medical watchdog. But its probe totally exonerated the GP.
It ruled a tribunal “would be unlikely to find her fitness to practise is currently impaired” and said the “case should be closed with no action”.
Crucially, it added it was clear she had offered to refer Britney to a specialist, but the offer was declined.
The GP at the centre of the case argued it was not clear Britney was suffering from depression and that – as a 16-year-old – she had the full capacity to make her own decisions and there was no reason to suspect that capacity was impaired.
Last night, personal injury specialist solicitor Nick Gordon confirmed he is acting on behalf of Britney’s parents.
Mr Gordon, a partner at law firm John Henderson And Sons, said: “There is a reasonable basis to investigate the necessary expert opinion to pursue a claim for civil damages.
“The steps I am being asked to pursue for the family involve the instruction of an independent opinion from an expert GP witness.
“They will provide an opinion as to where the treatment Britney received fell below the standard of the ordinary skill and care of the GP or any responsible party supervising this doctor.”
Annette has raised a petition in the Scottish Parliament to support her call for doctors to consult a trusted adult when prescribing powerful medication to people under 18. It is being investigated by Holyrood’s Petitions Committee.
The Glasgow-based practice at the centre of the action refused to comment when contacted by The Sunday Post.