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A teenager who died while watching television might still be alive today if her mother had sought the right medical help, as a court has determined. Robyn Goldie, 13, tragically passed away due to a perforated stomach ulcer during the ITV game show “Tipping Point” in July 2018, in Wishaw, Lanarkshire. At the time, her mother, Sharon Goldie, 49, was at the pub. Sheriff Linda Nicolson ruled at Hamilton Sheriff Court that Robyn’s survival could have been possible with timely medical intervention. Goldie had neglected to seek medical care for Robyn, despite her daughter developing peritonitis and experiencing a perforated duodenal ulcer.
A friend had offered to take Robyn to the hospital by taxi, but her mother refused. On July 25, Robyn pleaded with a neighbor from her garden to help her obtain an ambulance, stating that she was unable to breathe. However, her mother intervened, telling Robyn to go back inside. The following day, Robyn died alone in front of the television.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Linda Nicholson determined that seeking medical attention for Robyn would have been a sensible preventive measure, according to the Daily Record.
Either this or, at least, allowing her to access medical attention.
Sheriff Nicholson said: “Had that precaution been taken, it might realistically have resulted in the death being avoided.”
It was also found that North Lanarkshire Council social work policies and procedures were not complied with.
A written comprehensive assessment, a written child’s plan, and adequate supervision of workers were lacking.
The Sheriff emphasized that child protection measures should have been implemented earlier, and a referral to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration should have been made sooner.
Sheriff Nicholson asserted: “I conclude that there was systemic failure on the part of social work to the extent of failure to comply with policy and procedures in Robyn’s case.”
“That included not only the lack of a written comprehensive assessment and child’s plan but also a lack of supervision.
“However, the evidence did not support that the systemic failure contributed to Robyn’s death.”
A representative for North Lanarkshire Council remarked: “The death of Robyn Goldie was a tragedy. The sheriff found that Robyn’s death could have been prevented by her mother seeking appropriate medical assistance. Robyn’s mother was convicted of neglect and ill-treatment at the High Court in 2020.”
“However, the sheriff also found that some of the systems of work used by the council were not effective or fully complied with, and some decisions about Robyn’s case could have been taken earlier.
“A serious case review after Robyn’s death made similar findings. The sheriff concluded that alternative approaches would not have prevented Robyn’s death, and has made no recommendations to the council as part of the inquiry.
“The council agrees with the sheriff’s findings and those of the serious case review. New systems of work, both nationally and within the council, have been adopted with the aim of improving recording, sharing of information and decision-making.”
