27/11/2009

The Assembly Government commissioned Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) to look into the health and social care support provided to Geraint Evans and how that may have had an impact on the circumstances surrounding the death of Father Paul Bennett in March 2007 in Trecynon, Aberdare.

NHS Wales Chief Executive Paul Williams said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Father Paul at this very difficult time.

"It can be extremely difficult caring for and supporting people living with a mental health condition and this can pose a challenge for families as well as health and social care staff.

"It is important that when such tragic events occur, we investigate thoroughly, identify changes and put in place measures to reduce the risk of such incidents happening again.

"We therefore commission an independent investigation following every mental health-related homicide."

Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: "The report says that the killing of Father Paul by Mr Evans could not have been predicted and that his mental state was never known fully to any medical services.

"A number of measures have been introduced since the tragedy to improve mental health services and to speed up access to diagnosis and treatment. In addition, I recently launched an action plan to reduce self-harm in Wales, and initiatives to increase the number of people able to recognise symptoms of self harm and offer support sooner to vulnerable people.

"I would like to assure people that those living with mental health conditions remain more likely to be the victims of harm, than the perpetrators."

Paul Williams added: "I am pleased that the Health Board, Ambulance Trust and local authority have accepted the report's recommendations and worked together to produce an action plan to respond to the HIW report.

"At Mrs Bennett's request, HIW also looked at the role of the ambulance service and the wider support offered to her and the local community following this tragedy.

"The report highlighted issues about the training of ambulance control room staff, and guidance provided to frontline paramedics.

"The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust has asked the Welsh Assembly Government's Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Hunter, to lead a small team to review the training of control room staff and the guidance provided to frontline staff in the circumstances highlighted in the report. The group will include a representative of frontline ambulance staff, and a senior member of staff with responsibility for control room operations within one of the other uniformed services.

"A key element to dealing with grief, bereavement and the post traumatic stress associated with such awful events is the involvement of both health and social care providers, so that particular health concerns for both immediate family members as well as the wider community can be recognised early on. I expect all services across Wales to ensure that appropriate support and counselling services are available locally for any individual that needs it.

"I will be writing to all the health and social care organisations in Wales with a copy of the report to ensure that they can consider their processes in light of these recommendations."