A tragic mother's legacy: help for doctors in distress

Dr Daksha Emson, 34, stabbed herself and three-month-old Freya during a psychotic episode before setting herself and her daughter alight.

The Newham doctor, who suffered from manic depression, was so afraid of being stigmatised by her colleagues that only her doctor knew she was ill.

An investigation later found that she and her daughter had been systematically let down by the health service.

Today the Department of Health released a report into mental and physical health of doctors that was launched after her death.

It said doctors in distress were frightened of seeking help because of concerns over confidentiality.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said medics were too often being treated as patients instead of colleagues - even for physical illnesses.

He announced a pilot health scheme for London that will allow doctors and dentists to call an advice line and seek confidential treatment from specialists.

Dr Emson's widower, Dr David Emson, 47, told the Standard: "This is like gold dust. I cannot express how happy I am that some good is going to come out of this tragedy.

"Daksha was a truly wonderful woman and pathologically humble. She would be embarrassed at the attention but she would be delighted that they have not died in vain."

The radiographer, who also works as research ecologist at University College London, has campaigned for better support for new mothers and medics since the tragedy in October 2000.

His wife had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after attempting suicide as an 18-year-old, but went on to win a Medical Research Council scholarship. Having given up her bipolar medication to become pregnant, she suffered an attack of psychosis, believed to be triggered by her post-natal state.

The baby survived the knife attack at the family's home in Forest Gate but died from smoke inhalation. Dr Emson died in a burns unit three weeks later.

An investigation into the deaths released in 2003 found that the NHS had been "complicit", as prejudice meant she had not received the support she needed. Her behaviour should also have been predicted, it said.

Widower Dr Emson said: "It was such a tragic way to die. My raison d'être now is to do everything I can to make sure something like this does not happen again. The NHS needs to look after its best assets - the brilliant doctors who work for it. I don't want to be derogatory but the health service needs to get better at it. What they have said today is a great leap forward. I am overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm that has gone into this."

The support service will offer advice and treatment for 30,000 London doctors and dentists.

GPs, hospitals and private companies are bidding to run the pilot, which will start in autumn and is likely to include an advice line, website and drop-in clinic. If successful the NHS wants to take it nationwide.

Mr Johnson and mental health czar Professor Louis Appleby revealed the plan as they called on all employers to do more to look after workers. Mr Johnson said some NHS Trusts would also run "wellbeing" pilot schemes to give staff confidential feedback on their health and advice on their lifestyles.