HEALTH bosses are investigating whether more could have been done to help a “gifted” teenager who died after a long battle with anorexia.

Alice Rae, 18, died in her sleep after suffering from the eating disorder for two years. Her mother Dr Christine Rae made the tragic discovery at their Hampshire home.

Speaking of her daughter, Dr Rae said: “She was beautiful, clever and gifted. We were very proud of her.”

Alice, who achieved nine A* grades at GCSE, had been receiving out-patient treatment for anorexia at a clinic in Eastleigh run by Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust.

She had also been under private care during her two-year battle, as well as receiving help from the trust’s Eating Disorder Service at Barton Park.

The service includes a team of therapists, psychologists, a dietician and other health professionals for people who have been referred with a clinical eating disorder.

An inquiry has now been launched by the trust following the death of Alice, who was on course for a place at Cambridge University to study economics.

A spokesman stressed that the investigation was standard procedure following the death of a patient in its care.

He said that no complaint had been received from the family, although they were reportedly unhappy with the care Alice was receiving.

“The trust will be making contact with Miss Rae’s family to involve them in the process and discuss any matters regarding the care and treatment of Alice,” added the spokesman.

Of Alice’s condition, Dr Rae, 51, said: “She had battled anorexia for two years and had become very, very thin as she was going through a bad patch. She was not very well, but her death was very sudden.

“I don’t know what caused her anorexia, but in the last year she really deteriorated. We tried all sorts of treatment but nothing worked.”

Alice had attended private girls’ school St Swithun’s in Winchester, and was studying for four A-levels at Brockenhurst College.

Well-liked Her former head teacher at St Swithun’s, Dr Helen Harvey, said: “Alice was a highly intelligent, happy, well-liked member of the school community who played a full part in school life and had huge potential.”

Friends and family, including Alice’s two brothers and sister, will gather at her funeral on Friday at All Saints Church in the village of Houghton, where Alice lived with her mum and dad Peter Rae, 52, a company director.

The Rev Ron Corne said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we will do everything we can to support them at this very difficult time.”

An inquest into Alice’s death has been opened and adjourned. More post-mortem tests are due to be carried out. Alice’s death is not being treated as suspicious.