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

CHAPTER 2 – EVALUATION OF THE HEALTH CARE AND TREATMENT OF
LOUISA OVINGTON
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2004, to Hartlepool General Hospital during which she underwent a detoxification
from alcohol. However, she took her own discharge after five days. At the point
of discharge she was diagnosed as having a borderline personality disorder and an
alcohol dependency syndrome.
Over the years 2000 to 2005 inclusive, it was notable that whenever Louisa Ovington
had a change in care coordinator her mental state deteriorated. This was particularly
an issue during 2004 when she was left without any clear community support. Her
behaviour became extremely disturbed and the CRT had to become involved with her
care. Whilst for the majority of this time Louisa Ovington did have a care coordinator,
there appears to have been very little input from medical staff, which seems remiss
given the complexity of her case and the severity of her mental and behavioural
problems.
Despite numerous admissions and assessments, there was never clarity as to Louisa
Ovington’s diagnosis. Over the years, diagnoses considered included: drug induced
psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, psychopathic disorder and
emotionally unstable personality disorder of borderline type. This lack of clarity
appears to have impeded Louisa Ovington’s access to some services (for example the
CRT) and, to some extent, to have resulted in her difficulties not being regarded as the
responsibility of any particular service.
Psychological input
Given Louisa Ovington’s experiences and genetic loading (it is suggested that her
father may have suffered from delusional jealousy, carried a weapon and followed her
mother before the murder) it must have been evident to all the professionals involved
with her from her earliest years that she was at risk of developing mental health
difficulties. The panel has been unable to ascertain exactly what help she was given in
the early years following the death of her mother. It seems that she was supported in
the main by her family; there is no evidence that she received any psychological input
from professionals at that time.
As referred to in Chapter 1 of this report, Louisa Ovington’s first contact with
psychiatric services was when she saw Consultant 1 at age 15. Consultant 1
commented that Louisa Ovington had been given help in mourning her mother and in
understanding the events that led up to her death, but suggested further work on this
and also that Louisa Ovington might find it helpful to meet her father at some point.
Louisa Ovington saw a counsellor based at Peterlee College, on a private basis but no
records are available. By the time that she next came into contact with mental health
services (in December 1995) it was her use of drugs and its effect on her mental state
that was the main focus of attention.