REPORT OF AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY ... - Hundred Families

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First of all, I wish to thank all of the witnesses who gave evidence to the Independent Inquiry into
the Care and Treatment of Chandran Sukumaran. I had no power to compel anyone to attend an
interview. I am fully aware that to do so is time-consuming and often burdensome for witnesses. The
prospect of attending an interview can give rise to anxiety. Nonetheless, a considerable number of
people did attend and they sought to help us, as far as they were able, with our investigation. We
learned an immense amount from them without which it would have been almost impossible to
conduct a thorough review of the circumstances leading to the sad death of Narayanan Sukumaran.
Their evidence also helped us greatly in our understanding of the nature of the relevant services
presently available to service users in the part of London with which we were concerned. I am very
grateful for their co-operation and for that assistance.
Secondly, I wish to thank Dulara Khatun who has been the manager of the Inquiry throughout. Her
hard work, patience, good humour and, at times, considerable persistence have all made a significant
contribution to the conduct of the Inquiry.
Thirdly, I am very appreciative of the effort that has gone into the preparation of the interview
transcripts and wish to thank Fiona Shipley Transcription Limited for this. The transcripts have been
exceptionally useful to the Inquiry Panel both as the Inquiry progressed and in the preparation of
this report.
Last, but by no means least, I express my gratitude to my fellow Panel members, Dr Alice Parshall
and Miss Mary Walker, for the help and advice which they have given to me during the course of
this Independent Inquiry. They have impressive and extensive knowledge and experience in their
specialist fields and made many helpful comments and observations for which I am very grateful.
They also have great compassion for, and commitment to, those in need of the services with which
this report is concerned, and this was inspiring to encounter.
Clare Price
April 2004
Acknowledgements