'I will lose my daughter' - Thurso mum's plea amid fears anorexia care will be withdrawn

A Caithness mum fears her daughter will be sent home to die amid efforts to raise money for private treatment.

Caitlin Mackay was first diagnosed with anorexia around six years ago and after her condition recently became critical, she is due to be discharged from Raigmore Hospital on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old's family say she required emergency medical care as she collapsed while at the NHS Eating Disorder Service in Inverness earlier this month.

Caitlin and her family, from Thurso, are now terrified she will not survive if she is sent home as planned.

They're trying to raise more than £15,000 to fund private treatment.

NHS Highland have said they're engaging directly with the family and are committed to supporting them through an extremely difficult time.

Caitlin's illness 'devastating to witness'

Caitlin's big sister Hollie described the severity of her condition while launching a fundraising page last week.

She said: "Our family are asking for help to get urgent specialist treatment for my little sister, Caitlin, who is currently battling a severe eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa.

"A few days ago, her condition became critical and she required emergency medical care as she collapsed while at the NHS Eating Disorder Service in Inverness.

"Her blood sugar plummeted so low that glucose gel failed, and emergency injections were needed.

"She was blue-lighted to Raigmore Hospital with a dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure.

"Her heart is visibly damaged from years of starvation, and she is medically fragile.

"We have reached the point where we cannot safely wait any longer for the support she urgently needs.

"We are trying to raise funds for private treatment, including specialist inpatient care, medical monitoring, therapy, and recovery support.

"Eating disorders are serious illnesses, and recovery often requires immediate, intensive treatment from professionals who specialise in this area.

"This has been devastating for our family to witness, but we are determined to do everything possible to help her recover and have a future beyond this illness."

'If she is discharged, I will lose my daughter'

Caitlin's mum Mandy admits they feel they are banging their head off a brick wall trying to convince healthcare professionals to let her daughter stay in specialist care.

She said: "If they were to discharge her, they may as well just cut out the middle man and drop her off at the funeral directors. 

"Because that is what is going to happen, I will lose my daughter.

"I don't know what we're going to do."

Mandy explained how Caitlin has a "heart of gold", has worked with Mikeysline as a volunteer and loves visiting others with her 'therapet' French Bulldog, Harvey.

"We shouldn't have to ask strangers to help save our daughter's life, it just seems wrong, but we have no choice. 

"Just to let Caitlin have a chance at her life.

"For us to have our daughter for her brothers, sisters, niece and nephew would mean the world."

An NHS Highland spokesperson said: "NHS Highland cannot comment publicly on individual cases, but we are engaging directly with the family and are committed to supporting them through what we know is an extremely difficult time."