Trust welcomes independent inquiry report

Posted on 29th March, 2006

Devon Partnership NHS Trust has welcomed the publication of an independent inquiry report into the care and treatment of a service user known as ‘J’. The Trust will be considering the findings of the report, and setting out its plans for implementing the key recommendations, at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Board at 2.30pm on Thursday 30th March at Wonford House Hospital in Exeter. Commenting on the report, Chief Executive, Iain Tulley, said:  “This is an extremely sad case and I would like, once again, to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family concerned.  We take the report’s findings very seriously indeed and we will be doing everything within our power to minimise the risk of a tragic incident like this one happening again. “The report concludes that, in all probability, the homicide could not have been predicted.  It also finds that there was nothing in his history to suggest that he would ever cause significant harm to others.  While we take some reassurance from these conclusions, the report does identify a number of serious shortcomings in our systems and processes - particularly around missed appointments and poor communication.  “It is critically important that we address these issues and learn lessons from this case.  The Strategic Health Authority will be working with us and monitoring our progress as we strive to implement the independent panel’s recommendations over the coming months. “Cases such as this one can have a profound impact on the staff concerned. I know that some of the people who have worked closely with J and his family for some time have been deeply upset and distressed by the case and we have endeavoured to provide support for them since the incident took place.” The full report can be accessed from the Board Meeting section of the South West Strategic Health Authority's website at:
 
http://www.swpsha.nhs.uk/