'Grief is overwhelming'

Alana Goldsmith's mother, Judy, and sister Simone, at their home in Cammeray. Photo: Getty Images/Ben Rushton

An eating disorder clinic made several mistakes in its treatment of a woman who escaped and killed herself - but the failures were not the ultimate cause of her death, a coroner has found.

NSW Coroner Mark Douglass found Alana Goldsmith, 23, most likely killed herself as a result of her nine-year struggle with anorexia nervosa.

"It is clear the mental illness/condition anorexia nervosa played a foundational role in Alana Goldsmith's decision and ultimately her tragic death," Mr Douglass said in findings handed down on Monday.

Alana Goldsmith died after escaping from an eating disorders clinic in Ashfield. Photo: Supplied

The former Barker College student died at Summer Hill train station in July 2011, five days after she had been admitted to Wesley Hospital's eating disorder unit at Ashfield.

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Ms Goldsmith managed to slip out of the clinic undetected twice on the day of her death, through an unmonitored exit.

The Coroner found the clinic failed to complete a suicide risk assessment and did not obtain discharge summaries from Ms Goldsmith's previous admissions to hospital.

"Her care and treatment was not at its optimal level for reducing the risk of suicide," Mr Douglass said.

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'Grief is overwhelming'