Lousia Ovington independent investigation report ... - NHS North East

CHAPTER 1 - NARRATIVE OF KEY DATES AND EVENTS
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14. Louisa Ovington was reviewed in the outpatient’s department at Hartlepool
General Hospital and Peterlee Health Centre on five occasions during 1996. She
was also seen regularly by CPN 1. Her medication was adjusted from time to time.
She continued to accept intramuscular antipsychotic medication but the frequency of
administration of doses was reduced over the course of the year and she used the oral
medication intermittently. Up until December 1996 she appeared to be doing well:
she was doing an ‘A’ level course and living with her great aunt and uncle.
15. On 5 December 1996 she spent a night in police cells for breach of the peace.
A Mental Health Act assessment was done but she was found not to be detainable.
It appears Louisa Ovington’s behaviour at home had deteriorated; there had been
an altercation in which knives had been involved and her great aunt and uncle
temporarily refused to allow her to remain in their home. On 10 December she was
seen at an urgent outpatient appointment at Hartlepool General Hospital. Consultant
6 concluded that her behaviour was anti social rather than psychotic in nature,
despite concerns expressed by her college tutors and the CPN. Nonetheless two days
later on 12 December 1996 she was admitted on a voluntary basis as an inpatient at
Hartlepool General Hospital under the care of Consultant 2 for four weeks 8 .
16. A care planning meeting was held on 20 December 1996. Concern was raised
that Louisa Ovington was due, in relation to the murder of her mother, to receive a
substantial amount of criminal injuries compensation as she had reached 18. Social
Worker 1 expressed concern that Louisa Ovington would not be able to manage this
money and she wondered whether the Court of Protection should be involved, but
this was not pursued.
17. On 9 January 1997 Louisa Ovington insisted that she wished to discharge herself.
She agreed however to take leave instead. She returned the following day seemingly
intoxicated by drugs. Urine testing was positive for opiates and amphetamines and
she admitted to the use of amphetamines and cannabis whilst on leave. She was
discharged because of this. Because the discharge was sudden there was no discharge
care planning meeting, but she was discharged on antipsychotic depot medication 9 .
18. As her great aunt and uncle would not allow her to return to their home Louisa
Ovington went to Edinburgh to stay with her mother’s sister for a few days but then
returned. She attended three outpatient appointments and also saw CPN 1. Social
Worker 1 had done an assessment of need and was visiting her at home. The social
worker was concerned to hear from her that she was having unprotected sex, was
abusing drugs and that she enjoyed deceiving her guardians. She also told the social
worker that she was having a relationship with a male nurse from Hartlepool General
Hospital. Social Worker 1 immediately reported this and subsequently the nurse was
dismissed.
8 2nd admission to hospital
9 Slow- release antipsychotic medication given by injection.