Independent reports into three separate homicides by mental health patients under treatment by the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) have found there were no causal links between their treatment and the killings.
AWP provide mental health services for the Marlborough area – and cover Wiltshire, Bristol, Swindon, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucester. The reports, published today (January 10) by the strategic health authority are into homicides in 2008.
One case in Salisbury led to the patient (known in the report as Mr X) being convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was detained under the Mental Health Act. The report found there were no failures in the care of Mr X.
Speaking of this case, AWP’s Medical Director, Dr Arden Tomison said: “This was a tragic incident and on behalf of the Trust I would like to offer our condolences to all the those who have been affected by it and, in particular, to the victim’s family.
“As the independent investigation highlights, aspects of the way we worked in 2008 could have been better – for example in the way we engaged with families, in assessing risk, safeguarding and in collaborative working – and we have taken steps to radically improve in these areas over the past five years.”
The other two cases, in different parts of AWP’s area, led to a life sentence for murder and to an eleven year prison sentence for manslaughter.