The University was fully aware of Averil's illness and that it was a dangerous time for her, having just left hospital.

 

How could an emergency call for help to the Dean's Office at the UEA and disability officer not result in a medical referral when Averil was found unconscious just 36 hours later?

 

After Averil died, her family were in touch with the Dean's office and wanted to know why the University had not called for proper emergency medical help when Averil's cleaner had reported that Averil required urgent assistance.

 

I went to see Dean Grant in her office, literally a few minutes walk from where Averil was found unconscious. It was a terrible meeting, one that still haunts me three and a half years after Averil died.

 

Dean Grant made it feel as if I was being given an an audience with someone extremely important and appeared to suggest that I was interfering in her otherwise busy timetable. She told me that her secretary was leaving that day. Her comment about Averil's death was that "these things happen" and that she was surprised that more students didn't die on campus given the alcoholic intake of "youngsters these days".

​

Dean Grant appeared to be very defensive about the actions of her department and did not allow me to talk to anyone concerned. She did not seem to understand that a simple action by the University could have saved the life of a vulnerable young person.

 

This was to be the start of a very bad experience with UEA which has continued for three and a half years. An experience which has involved the UEA trying to sweep Averil's death under the carpet.

 

They seem anxious not to have Averil's blood on their hands and feel that by not responding to Averil's families concerns that we will simply go away.

 

Had the UEA acted properly and called for medical help .. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Averil would be alive and well.