I was so saddened to read the letter from the teacher whose baby died during her inspection. I developed rheumatoid arthritis during my inspection week. The diagnosis was surprising, there was no history of it in my family.
But, like the miscarriage, where is the proof that the stress of the inspection wasthe cause? For me the starting point would be research linking mental to physical well-being, and Japanese research has linked arthritis with stress.
So many of my colleagues have developed terrible illnesses after inspections.
Jill Frost
29 Sandhills Road
Barnt Green, Birmingham
