Mental health care inquiries follow attacks
Jul 2 2008 by Liz Hands, The Journal
HEALTH chiefs have commissioned independent inquiries into the mental health care of two men jailed for violent attacks.
The North East Strategic Health Authority yesterday revealed it has commissioned the two separate inquiries into the healthcare and treatment of Ronald Dixon and Graham Burton.
Dixon, 35, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of mental health worker Ashleigh Ewing, 22, in May 2006, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Ms Ewing was visiting Dixon in his flat in Eighth Avenue, Heaton, Newcastle, when the attack took place.
In October 2007, he was sentenced to be detained indefinitely at Rampton Secure Hospital.
Burton pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of social worker Claire Selwood, 38, at a County Durham school in October 2006.
In June 2007, Burton, 41, of Hill Crescent, Murton, County Durham was sentenced to be imprisoned indefinitely after admitting stabbing Ms Selwood six times in the back.
Both of the independent inquiries are taking place under health service guidelines which apply when crimes of murder or manslaughter are committed by people who have been receiving mental health services. Inquiries are held following the completion of legal proceedings.
The remit of the panels will be to consider, and make appropriate recommendations on, the healthcare and treatment the men were receiving at the time of the incidents; the suitability of care and the exercise of professional and clinical judgment.
In the case of Dixon, although investigations are ongoing with the coroner and Health and Safety Executive (HSE), these do not extend to the actual provision of mental health care.
If the HSE or coroner investigations produce any information which impacts upon the independent inquiry, this will be incorporated into the terms of reference as appropriate.
The members of the inquiry panel for Ronald Dixon are: Joseph O’Brien, barrister; Tim Evans, deputy director of nursing at Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust; Dr A Simpson, consultant psychiatrist at Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust and Nicola Bailey, director of adult and community services at Hartlepool Borough Council.
The members of the inquiry panel for Graham Burton are: Sue Taylor, barrister; Liz Lines, care group manager for working age adults, at North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust; Barbara Williams, former head of safeguarding at Sunderland social services and Dr Simon Baugh, medical director, Bradford Care Trust.
The final report and findings of both independent inquiries will be made public.
