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

CHAPTER 1 - NARRATIVE OF KEY DATES AND EVENTS
118. Between early 2001 and May 2001, because of mounting concerns felt by Social
Worker 4, there were a number of attempts by Social Worker 4 and her GP to refer
Louisa Ovington to a psychiatrist, to psychology and to CPN services. The records show
a great deal of confusion, with Social Worker 4 making considerable effort to little
effect. There does not appear to have been psychiatric follow up after her admission
to Darlington Memorial Hospital, there was no apparent referral to CPN services
despite Social Worker 4 obtaining confirmation from the hospital that they would
do this and the referral to psychology had to be done by the GP and psychiatrist and
could not apparently be done by the mental health social worker, Social Worker 4,
who knew her best and had most contact with her. At this point Louisa Ovington,
despite her admission to Darlington Memorial Hospital, had not apparently seen a
psychiatrist in the community since her discharge from Kneesworth in January 2000.
119. On 12 February a pre-sentence report by Probation Officer 3, in relation to the
offensive weapon charge had concluded that Louisa Ovington posed a high risk of
reoffending, risk of dangerousness and harm to the public; that she had used a knife
in the past and was irrational and unsafe. The probation officer noted that “past
psychiatric assessment does not regard Louisa Ovington’s behaviour as warranting
the attachment to it of any mental health diagnosis”. However she suggested that a
psychiatric report was needed. She concluded that a period in custody would add to
Louisa Ovington’s instability, particularly as she had told the probation officer that she
would attempt to harm herself if detained in prison.
120. On 16 May 2001 Louisa Ovington saw Consultant 5 for the preparation of a
court report. The report dated 5 June 2001 concluded that there was substantial
evidence of personality disorder and an ongoing liability to suffer with mental illness.
He noted that she was still abusing drugs and alcohol and recommended a probation
order with a condition of psychiatric treatment which he said he was prepared to
supervise.
121. Although it is quite unclear how it came about, a domiciliary visit was made
by Consultant 13 (a locum consultant) to Louisa Ovington on 25 May 2001. He
recommended she continue with Trazadone (as already prescribed by the GP) and
attend outpatients with Consultant 14.
122. On 7 June 2001 Louisa Ovington was convicted 49 of possession of an offensive
weapon and of breaching her previous conditional discharge of 9 February 2000.
She was given an 18 month Community Rehabilitation Order (CRO) with a condition
of psychiatric treatment. It was not made clear how the condition of psychiatric
treatment was supposed to operate.
123. On 22 June Social Worker 4 was informed that Consultant 5 would be the
responsible doctor for the CRO.
49 5th conviction
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