Independent investigation: Richard Baker (Mr G), Hastings (2003)

It is recommended that all Approved Section 12 doctors liable to make recommendations within the Trust’s catchment area are written to and reminded of the requirement to complete a written record of an assessment under the Mental Health Act 1983, and that this correspondence is also sent to the Local Medical Committee and Primary Care Trust.

It is recommended that all staff receive guidance to encourage and facilitate the gathering of information from carers and significant others, (recognising the confidentiality issues), which should be incorporated into the assessment and care planning process.

That where a person currently in receipt of mental health services has involvement from other statutory agencies the mental health services should take a proactive role in establishing contact with those agencies to facilitate appropriate sharing of information.

That the Trust continues to promote the improvements in clinical accountability and practice already underway but with a greater emphasis on ensuring that doctors at all levels are incorporated into the training arrangements and required to attend risk assessment and CPA multidisciplinary practice development events.

The Trust Board need to satisfy themselves that all doctors in consultant positions are aware of and have clear lines of clinical and managerial responsibility and accountability.

It is recommended that the Trust puts into place more robust systems for acquiring and coordinating available information:-
• An explicit policy and operational guidance is required on the process of acquiring, collation and recording pertinent information.
• In each case the responsible team should identify a designated named person to carry out this task.
• In order to avoid a partial consideration of the person and their history which regards each new context as a stand-alone episode.

It is recommended that the Trust audit the operation and effectiveness of the policy on Managing DNA or Cancelled Appointments implemented in the Autumn 2005. This is to ensure that there is an effective follow up of people who do not attend for appointments.