School of Law academics call to withdraw fabricated induced illness guidance

Professor Luke Clements and Dr Ana Laura Aiello were amongst a group of researchers and non-governmental organisations that supported the call.

In a recent Open Letter to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, a number of researchers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) called for the withdrawal of its guidance concerning FII (Fabricated or Induced Illness). By letter of the 1st August 2024, the Royal College refused.

In a Press Statement issued earlier this week, the signatories to the Open Letter express their concern about the discriminatory and traumatic impact that the guidance is having on families.  It pointed to independent research and evidence from practice about these serious problems and expressed the view that no reasonable body (let alone one exercising public functions) could fail to take such urgent action.

The signatories to the Open Letter were Dr Ana Laura Aiello (University of Leeds), Dr Peter Baker (University of Kent), Professor Andy Bilson (University of Central Lancashire), Sonya Chowdhury (Action for ME), Professor Luke Clements (University of Leeds), Dr Judy Eaton (Help for Psychology Services), Dr Fiona Gullon-Scott (Newcastle University), Beverley Hitchcock (Cerebra), Cathleen Long (Vivacity Independent Social Work), Tammy Mayes (Parents, Families and Allies Network), and Diana Skelton (ATD Fourth World).

In the Press Statement, Professor Clements raises his concern about the potential (and actual) adverse / discriminatory impacts on families of the guidance, stating:

Where research evidence concerning a policy suggests that it may result in severe and adverse trauma and disability discrimination (against both disabled parents and disabled children), and research then finds that this appears to be happening in practice, the author of that policy is duty bound to take urgent action to assess and, if needs be, to address this impact.  In the present case the Royal College has known of this problem for a considerable period of time and yet it has decided to delay taking action until a convenient moment arises (i.e. a periodic review).  In my opinion this is unacceptable.

If you are concerned about and/or believe that you have been adversely affected by the Royal College’s FII guidance, there are actions that you can take. These are outlined in Professor Clement’s recent blogpost here.