Publications

Independent report published into the care and treatment of Dennis Foskett

The Report of the Independent Inquiry of Dennis Foskett looks into the circumstances surrounding the homicide of his partner PC in July 2003.

At the time of her death, PC was receiving care and treatment from mental health services provided by East London and The City Mental Health Trust. Mr Foskett was also known to mental health services in East London and was being supported informally by a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist. Mr Foskett has a long history of involvement with mental health services, in 1985 was detained in hospital under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act (1983) having killed his wife and the family GP. He was fully discharged from formal supervision under the Mental Health Act (1983) in 1995 although continued to engage with specialist mental health services until the time of PC's death.

The Inquiry report highlights a number of areas where improvements in the care and treatment of people with mental illness who also have a caring role should be made. The report also makes recommendations about formalising arrangements for transferring care between organisations when a service user moves to another borough and still requires follow up under the Care Programme Approach.

The Report makes 5 recommendations, 4 of which are aimed at East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust. An action plan has been agreed between all the agencies involved in providing services to both PC and Mr Foskett. The Action Plan refers to the systems and service improvements that have already been made in response to the death of PC, and sets out the further work needed to fulfil the recommendations made in the report.

Published July 2006