Lousia Ovington independent investigation report ... - NHS North East

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
158
• Recommendation 27. Trusts should ensure that all policies include the
production and review dates; the author; the organisation to whom it
relates and are archived in a system, preferably electronic, where easy
access is available.
• Recommendation 28. Trusts should ensure that all professionals keep up
to date, contemporaneous notes that are organised methodically and in
such a way that they are readily accessed (by those authorised to do so)
and easily understood.
• Recommendation 29. A comprehensive, regularly updated chronological
history should be maintained which is accessible by all those (authorised
to do so) who are dealing with the patient.
• Recommendation 30. Where trusts are commissioning services from
independent sector providers, trusts should ensure that the practice of
those providers complies with those recommendations.
• Recommendation 31. The panel is concerned that many of the
above conclusions and recommendations echo those made in other
investigation reports, therefore consideration should be given to the use
of such reports for training purposes. Additionally, the panel hopes that
this report is widely disseminated across agencies.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS TO THE SHA IN RELATION
TO THE POLICE AND PROBATION SERVICES
The panel does not believe it would be appropriate, or welcome, to make
recommendations for action to either the police or probation service, since,
although they have cooperated fully with the investigation, they have had no part
in commissioning this report. However, the panel expresses the respectful wish that
the SHA should communicate the following suggestions to the police and probation
service, which it hopes the two services will regard as helpful and constructive
in furthering what must be a shared aim of reducing risk to the public as well as
promoting an understanding of mental health issues suffered by offenders:
• Durham Constabulary should establish and maintain, by whatever means
are appropriate, a direct and formalised channel of communication
between themselves and the mental health services within the Durham
police area. Where the police are aware that an offender has mental
health issues they should establish whether the offender is subject to
the CPA, establish the identity of the care coordinator and ensure that
the offender’s interactions with the police are reported to the care
coordinator.