Claire Sturge: child and adolescent psychiatrist who pushed for better understanding of alternative families

bmj;383/dec19_4/p2948/FAF1faThe child and adolescent psychiatrist Claire Sturge, who has died aged 81, worked for the NHS for 50 years, only ever taking off 10 days sick, said her family.She started a service for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder at London’s Northwick Park Hospital, where she worked as a consultant, ran training courses in child forensic psychiatry, and was a highly valued expert witness.“She had a magnificent career which benefited many lives,” said her son, Matthew, adding that she never saw a need to moderate her directness. No person, policy, or process was safe from her reforming zeal, he explained at a memorial celebration: “Even the best restaurant could have its processes improved—much to the embarrassment of her teenage children.”Claire was born in Washington, DC, USA, the third of four children of John Summerscale and his American wife, Nelle Stogsdall. Both her parents were diplomats.“Boundary pusher”She spent part of her early…
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