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Killing 'could have been avoided' Killer's psychiatric care panned
(30 minutes later)
The killing of a man by a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of violence could have been avoided with better health care, a report has said.The killing of a man by a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of violence could have been avoided with better health care, a report has said.
John Barrett repeatedly stabbed Denis Finnegan, 50, as he cycled in Richmond Park, south-west London, in 2004.John Barrett repeatedly stabbed Denis Finnegan, 50, as he cycled in Richmond Park, south-west London, in 2004.
Poor communication and a lack of monitoring contributed to his escape from hospital, according to an independent inquiry for the NHS.Poor communication and a lack of monitoring contributed to his escape from hospital, according to an independent inquiry for the NHS.
Barrett pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for life in March 2005.Barrett pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for life in March 2005.
He had absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting, south London, in the night before the killing in September 2004. He had absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting, south London, the night before the killing in September 2004.
Seriously flawed 'Seriously flawed'
He had been granted an hour's "ground leave" from the Shaftesbury Clinic, a secure unit, but failed to return. Barrett had been granted an hour's "ground leave" from the Shaftesbury Clinic, a secure unit, but failed to return.
The decision to give him that freedom by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gill Mezey was described by the inquiry as "seriously flawed".The decision to give him that freedom by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gill Mezey was described by the inquiry as "seriously flawed".
On leaving the hospital, 43-year-old Barrett bought numerous kitchen knives, took a taxi to Richmond Park and repeatedly stabbed Mr Finnegan.On leaving the hospital, 43-year-old Barrett bought numerous kitchen knives, took a taxi to Richmond Park and repeatedly stabbed Mr Finnegan.
Barrett said afterwards that he bought the knives because voices in his head were commanding him to kill.Barrett said afterwards that he bought the knives because voices in his head were commanding him to kill.
The NHS apologised for the care given to Barrett. The inquiry, commissioned by the South West London Strategic Health Authority, was chaired by mental health solicitor Robert Robinson. We conclude that one of the factors that contributed to the killing of Denis Finnegan was that John Barrett's illness was inadequately treated Report findings href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/16_11_06_barrett.pdf" class="">John Barret report
The inquiry, commissioned by the South West London Strategic Health Authority, was chaired by mental health solicitor Robert Robinson.
The finding said: "We do not say it was predictable that John Barrett would experience command hallucinations telling him to kill, but the risk of serious violence associated with deterioration in his mental state was known.
"We conclude that one of the factors that contributed to the killing of Denis Finnegan was that John Barrett's illness was inadequately treated."
The inquiry went on to question whether the Shaftesbury Clinic should even remain open as a secure unit.
John Barrett had a history of mental health problems
The 400-page report gave details of Barrett's former violent history when he stabbed three people at a clinic in St George's Hospital in 2002.
Peter Houghton, George's Mental Health NHS Trust, apologised to members of Mr Finnegan's family.
"Since joining the trust I have had the opportunity to meet members of Denis Finnegan's family and to apologise to them personally," he said.
"The inquiry report contains difficult messages for the trust. We cannot undo what has happened in the past.
"But I would like to make it clear to the Finnegan family and to local people that we are determined to do everything in our power to learn from the mistakes that were made."
'Changes made'
He added that since the killing the management structure of the forensic service has been overhauled and new managers have been put in place at every level.
Anne Mackie, deputy director of public health for NHS London, said: "In the last two years, a great many changes have taken place to improve the performance of the trust [George's Mental Health NHS Trust] and the trust's forensic service.
"The public should be reassured that these changes have greatly improved clinical quality and safety.
"However, there is still much to be done and both NHS London and the trust are committed to learning everything we can from the inquiry report."