Need to bear in mind needs of those cared for in the community (From Bucks Free Press)

Need to bear in mind needs of those cared for in the community

3:40pm Wednesday 9th February 2005 in News By Vince Soodin

Paranoid schizophrenic Robert Browning was sent indefinitely to a secure hospital last month for stabbing to death Chesham man Ben Cargill.

Reporter Vince Soodin followed the court case which raised questions about treating potentially violent mental health patients in the community and led to Ben's parents calling for an inquiry into Browning's care.

BEN Cargill was a day short of his 25th birthday last August when he was killed in a frenzied knife attack.

Ben was at an outdoor concert in Lowndes Park, Chesham, when he was pounced on by his former flatmate Robert Browning, 22 a paranoid schizophrenic who had stopped taking his medication.

Ben's father James, of Rose Drive, Chesham, said: "There should be some kind of inquiry an independent one. People are not going to volunteer that information.

"If improvements are made to care of mental health patients so this is less likely to happen, then maybe something good can come from Ben's death."

Ben's family was in court to see Browning plead guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility at the beginning of a hearing at Reading Crown Court last month.

Claims by Browning's defence counsel Sally O'Neill QC were to shock Ben's parents as she said health services had not followed up reports that Browning was not taking his medication.

Browning was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in 2003, said Ms O'Neill. He moved into a hostel later that year but started to believe one tenant was trying "to be part of him".

Browning's medication was increased but he continued to believe people were controlling his thoughts. From late 2003 to early 2004 Browning's mother grew concerned he was not taking his medication and informed psychiatric services, said Mrs O'Neill.

But the reports were either not followed up or doctors continued to deem Browning fit to remain in the community.

During early 2004 the court also heard that Browning had beaten Ben when they lived in the same rented accommodation.

In June last year Browning's mother again told doctors her son was not taking his medication.

Finally a meeting was planned for July 27 but it was cancelled. Five days later Browning believing Ben was trying to control his mind plunged a kitchen knife into his victim nine times before giving himself up.

Mrs O'Neill said: "It would have been hoped that a compliance team would have sought out the warnings. This is a tragedy that possibly could have been avoided."

Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust has launched an investigation into Browning's treatment but said it could not comment on Browning's case until its report is ready.

But the trust stressed this is an "isolated incident" and said care in the community was the best form of treatment for the majority of patients.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The development of care in the community services has been done with the involvement of patients as they are calling for these kinds of services. Caring for people in the community helps them have a better quality of life."

The trust reassured the family and friends of patients that they take seriously any reports of non-compliance with treatment.

The spokesman added: "They are the people closest to them and it is important that we listen to what they have to say."