Inquest into the death of anorexic patient Jenni Matters hears nurses asked her ‘secret to being skinny’

The grieving father of a young woman who died after battling anorexia has told a court that hospital staff made deeply insensitive comments.

The grieving father of a young woman who tragically died after battling anorexia nervosa has told a court that hospital staff made deeply insensitive comments about her weight during her treatment, asking for “diet tips” and the “secret to being skinny”.

Jennifer Michelle Matters, known as Jenni, was a brilliant nursing graduate and advanced biomedical science student who loved spending time with her family and friends.

But behind her achievements, Jenni struggled with anorexia for two years, seeking help from a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, and dietitian after being diagnosed in 2019.

Despite multiple hospital admissions, Jenni, aged just 24, took her own life in May 2021, weighing only 29.5kg. She told loved ones she was “exhausted”.

Her death is now the subject of an inquest, with the Coroner’s Court hearing testimony on the extent of Jenni’s battle with her eating disorder.

Counsel assisting the Coroner Emma Roper said that Jenni had hoped her death would “help others, even just one person,” and inspire reform in the way eating disorders are treated across the nation.

Jenni Matters died after a battle with anorexia. Pictures: Facebook

“This inquest will examine services provided to Jenni during her fight with anorexia nervosa and consider whether changes can be made to improve the delivery of eating disorder services in SA,” Ms Roper said.

Jenni’s father, Shaun Matters, gave a heartbreaking testimony, describing the multiple times his daughter was admitted to Flinders Medical Centre — sometimes voluntarily.

He spoke of the lack of empathy and understanding from some of the staff, which left Jenni feeling like a burden.

“The hospital ward experience was very poor because some of the staff lacked empathy for mental health patients. You got the feeling sometimes that staff had the sense that if ‘the anorexic’ would leave, they would have space for ‘real patients,’” Mr Matters said.

He recounted distressing incidents where nurses made harmful comments about Jenni’s weight.

Mr Matters recalled a nurse referring to Jenni as ”the anorexic in the corner that you need to watch eat.” Pictures: Facebook

Shaun Matters, father of Jenni who died after a battle with anorexia, speaks outside the Coroners Court. Picture : Isabel McMillan

“I was there one day, and the nurse said to Jenni, ‘Oh, you’re so skinny.’ Describing the eating disorder as skinny is a badge of honour. It’s not something you do with eating disorder patients,” he said.

On another occasion, Mr Matters recalled a nurse referring to Jenni as “the anorexic in the corner that you need to watch eat,” a comment that still haunts him.

“We had to leave our daughter, who we loved dearly, and tell her it was the best place for her. We cried the whole way home,” he told the court.

“What the staff don’t understand is that no one chooses this. It’s not a choice. It’s a disease. It’s a devastating illness.“

Mr Matters also addressed the issue of funding for those battling eating disorders, contrasting it with other conditions like cancer and heart disease.

“If you’re suffering from cancer, the public system funds you for treatments you require. That’s wildly different with mental health and eating disorders,“ he said. “It really leaves patients on their own.”