22 May 2018

CNWL responds to Ryan Blacknell detention

For immediate publication

A spokesperson for CNWL said:

"This has been a shocking case and a terrible time for Ms Parker's family, who are first in our thoughts today.

"A full internal investigation is underway by a panel of impartial senior and experienced clinicians; they will review the case and make recommendations about future care and service delivery.

"At the time of Mr Blacknell's admission he was assessed by the Consultant and team and not believed to be a risk to others; someone's illness does not predict their likely behaviour and dynamic risk assessment is the national approach followed routinely on our wards. It relies on expertise and experiences too, something our investigation is looking into. "

Questions and answers

- Why was Ryan allowed to check himself out of the Campbell Centre? Mr Blacknell was not detained under the Mental Health Act and was legally free to leave at any time; it is normal practice to give people ‘leave' to go somewhere and return, usually very briefly; Mr Blacknell had done so twice before.

- Following his mental health assessment, was Ryan flagged as a potential danger to the public? No

- What efforts did CNWL staff or others make to locate him after he checked himself out? He failed to return at 7pm and after checks we usually make the police were contacted at 21:52.

- Was there any internal investigation into how the Campbell Centre handled Ryan's admission, assessment and departure? If there was, what was the outcome of that investigation? If there wasn't an internal investigation, why not? There is an investigation under way, by independent senior clinicians and managers not linked to the case.

- Have any staff been disciplined or offered further training in light of what happened? The purpose of an investigation is to determine what happened and whether processes should be changed for the benefit of others.

For more details:

ContactDirector of Communications Mike Waddington on 07740 422873 or email mikewaddington@nhs.net

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
Tel: 020 3214 5756 e-mail:communications.cnwl@nhs.net