Hammer attack probe finds failure

Stuart Robertson was killed by his friend in the attack Mental health services “failed” to respond to a relapse by a man who killed a friend when freed into the community from a psychiatric hospital. A report from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland found a “lack of any systematic approach to risk assessment” in James Smith’s treatment.

The 46-year-old bludgeoned Stuart Robertson to death with a hammer in a Glasgow park in October 2004. NHS Greater Glasgow said it accepted there were “procedural failures”.

The health board has offered to meet the victim’s family. Smith was on conditional discharge from Leverndale Hospital in Glasgow when he killed Mr Robertson, who also had a history of mental illness.

First Minister Jack McConnell ordered the commission to investigate after Smith was jailed for life in November. The commission’s report found there were “clear indications” from several sources that Smith’s condition had relapsed in the summer of 2004.

The report describes “a failure to respond adequately” to the relapse. It found an “inadequate focus” by some of those involved in Smith’s care on the risks he could pose. “At no time before or after conditional discharge was there a satisfactory risk assessment, risk management plan or strategy to deal with any relapse in his illness,” said the report. “In general, there was a ‘muddled’ approach to risk assessment and management.”

‘Significant changes’

The report calls for a series of detailed changes. All have been accepted by the Scottish Executive, NHS Greater Glasgow and Glasgow City Council social work. The Reverend Canon Joe Morrow, inquiry chair, said: “The recommendations made in our report have acted as a catalyst to substantial change for the forensic mental healthcare system. “We have put a rigorous process in place to monitor implementation of those changes.”

In a statement, NHS Greater Glasgow said: “We accept that there were procedural failures, particularly in relation to the sharing of information and handover arrangements between staff.” Since the incident the health board said “significant changes” have already been made to improve procedures.

The Scottish Executive said “tighter safeguards” on the management of restricted patients are to be introduced. Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, said changes will go beyond the recommendations. He said: “The protection of the public is paramount and we must act at all times in recognition of our duty to the public.”

All restricted patients under supervision in the community will now have a designated social worker. A written risk assessment will take place before any conditional discharge.