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

CHAPTER 1 - NARRATIVE OF KEY DATES AND EVENTS
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57. On 22 December 1998 a review meeting was held at the Tony White Unit to
consider whether she could be discharged (concluding that she could not) and
aftercare arrangements if she were to be. A social worker, Social Worker 1, who had
known Louisa Ovington and the family for some time and had had discussions with
them, said that Louisa Ovington was extremely damaged and expressed the fear that
Louisa Ovington would at some point go on to commit a serious crime as her father
had. Her great uncle had expressed similar fears, as well as fears for his own safety.
58. Further discussions had taken place as a result of which Consultant 9 agreed to
take Louisa Ovington on the medium secure forensic ward at St Nicholas’ Hospital.
There was discussion as to which section of the Mental Health Act would be most
appropriate. Consultant 9 told the panel that he favoured the use of Section 38 30 - an
order lasting 12 months permitting assessment during ongoing court proceedings.
This would, he told the panel, have kept her in hospital and obliged the court to
remain involved. If she had been detained under Section 37/41 and the proceedings
against her had been discontinued, there was a chance she could have successfully
appealed against the Section 37 and been discharged by a Mental Health Review
Tribunal. There was no such appeal possible against Section 38. His clear view was
that the matter should ultimately be disposed of with a Section 37/41. 31 Consultant 5’s
view was that by December 1998 it was no longer helpful for her to be treated at the
Tony White Unit; the important thing was for her to be transferred somewhere where
she could have exposure to a wider range of treatments. He therefore supported
Consultant 9’s recommendation of a Section 38, so that Consultant 9 would accept
her at St Nicholas’ Hospital. Nonetheless Consultant 5 told the panel that he would
have preferred to recommend that Louisa Ovington be either continued on Section 37
or made subject to a Section 37/41.
59. Despite the immense difficulties that the staff faced whilst looking after Louisa
Ovington on the Tony White Unit, there is evidence within the notes of the staff doing
their best to support her. During this admission Louisa Ovington had numerous visits
from family members and was visited by her father who contacted the ward through
his supervisor at Edinburgh prison, asking if he could visit her. (Louisa Ovington’s
feelings towards her father appeared to fluctuate: on 22 August 1998 she said she
intended to kill him when she was 20 years old.) Louisa Ovington’s religious needs
were met by her having visits from Catholic priests on several occasions, as and
when she requested this. Louisa Ovington was given occasional escorted leave in the
grounds of the hospital and to town. Staff reported however that at these times she
was quite excitable and often exhibited inappropriate behaviour. On 24 December
1998 Louisa Ovington was supported by staff when she wanted help to write to the
Mental Health Act Commission 32 to inform them of her discontent about being at the
Tony White Unit.
30 See Chapter 8
31 See Chapter 8
32 The Mental Health Act Commission was the body charged with monitoring the use of detention under the Mental Health Act. It
has now been replaced with the Care Quality Commission.