Professor Anselm Eldergill

In 1999, Anselm Eldergill developed a new style of independent healthcare review based on:

KEY BENEFITS

The benefits of such a process are:

ON THIS PAGE

	Professor Eldergill's Review Procedures
	Reports, Articles, Training Materials

‘Reforming Inquiries following Homicides,’ Journal of Mental Health Law, October 1999.

Health Service Guidelines require that an independent inquiry is held if a patient commits homicide. However, the Department of Health is presently reviewing these arrangements, and the purpose of this article is to examine whether, and if so how, the existing system should be reformed.

The article reviews the official guidelines, and then considers the functions of inquiries, the arguments for and against their continuation, and whether culpability. It goes on to examine how existing procedures can be improved, and these issues are dealt with under the following headings: Family and staff support, remit and cost, delay, panel membership, formal or informal, public or private, inquisitorial or adversarial, legal powers, confidentiality, fairness, methodology, report and follow-up, and publicising reports. 26 pages.

‘The legal logistics of independent inquiries: Common steps and principles for navigating through tragedy,’ British Journal of Health Care Management, May 1998, pp.198–203.

This article aims to guide managers through the process, and it includes precedents which they can use or adapt, such as terms of reference and job descriptions. Because the conduct of all inquiries involves applying certain universal principles, and taking certain common steps, the procedures described below will also be useful for managers working outside psychiatry.

The views and suggestions expressed in this article are those of the author. They are ‘Eldergill Procedures’, and Health Authorities, and the chairmen of independent inquiries, are in no sense bound by them. 13 pages.

'Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Stephen Allum', Berkshire Health Authority, April 2000. 

Stephen Allum visited his general practitioner on 30 August 1997, when he admitted drinking and using illegal drugs, and was advised to contact a community drug and alcohol treatment agency. Driven by delusions, he then visited his stepmother and attacked her, holding a broken glass to her face. The assault was interrupted by the arrival of his father, who tricked him into contacting the police. Following his arrest for causing actual bodily harm, Mr Allum was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital as an informal patient.

Mr Allum was discharged home on 22 September. A care programme approach meeting planned for 29 September was postponed, and he was given two weeks supply of medication. Seventeen days later he killed his wife, Thelma Allum. He was subsequently convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and admitted to a medium secure unit, subject to a restriction order.

Inquiry Panel Members: Anselm Eldergill (Chair); Dr Paul Bowden (Consultant Psychiatrist); Ms Claire Murdoch (Director of Nursing); Mr Dave Sheppard (Social Services). 69 pages.

'Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Alexander Cameron', Berkshire Health Authority, Oct 2000

During the early hours of 26 April 1997, Alexander Cameron killed his mother, Eileen Cameron, at their home in Reading. On 17 October 1997, He was later found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and made subject both to a hospital order and an order restricting his discharge without limit of time.

Mr Cameron was 32 years old at the time of his mother’s death and was suffering from schizophrenia.  He had been admitted to Fair Mile Hospital in July 1994 under section 3. He was discharged from hospital on 12 December 1994. By 5 February 1996, it was obvious that he was not engaging with the community mental health team, and a decision was made to suspend their involvement with him. From then onwards, the key worker, community mental health team and day hospital were no longer involved, and consultant contact was limited to one out-patient appointment every six months. His mental state deteriorated significantly during the week prior to his mother’s death. He again began to believe that people around him were not who they seemed, and were either the devil or possessed by the devil. These beliefs incorporated his mother and his sister’s partner.

Inquiry Panel Members: Anselm Eldergill (Chair); Dr Helen Kelly (Consultant Psychiatrist); Mr Dave Sheppard (Social Services). 87 pages.

'Report of an Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Mark Longman, Paul Huntingford and Christopher Moffatt', North & Mid Hampshire Health Authority and Hampshire County Council Social Services Department, June 2001.

Mark Longman was discharged from Park Prewett Hospital on 10 January 1995. On 4 June 1996, he killed his father, Kenneth Longman, at their home in Basingstoke, by setting fire to him. He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Paul Huntingford was admitted to Parklands Hospital in May 1997, and discharged home in June. During the afternoon of 23 December 1997, he was assessed at home by his consultant and an approved social worker, who considered that he required compulsory admission to hospital. However, his admission was delayed when it was discovered that a medical recommendation form had been incorrectly dated. On 24 December, his mother, Mrs Lena Huntingford, died during an attempt by him to exorcise her. He was subsequently found to have been insane at the time, and was not convicted of any criminal offence.

Christopher Moffatt was admitted to Parklands Hospital in January 1997, where he was detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. He left hospital without permission on 19 February 1998, and went to, and worked in, Andover. On 9 April 1998, he entered a private house in Hampshire and stabbed Anthony Harrison, killing him. He was later convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Subsequently, he committed suicide in the hospital where he was detained.

Inquiry Panel Members: Anselm Eldergill (Chair); Dr Paul Bowden (Consultant Psychiatrist); Ms Claire Murdoch (Director of Nursing); Mr JonathonWalker (Social Services). 160 pages.

 71 kb

Homicide Inquiries, University of Humberside, Training Day, April 2002.

Training presentation delivered at the University of Humberside in Hill. 30 powerpoint slides.

Anselm Eldergill

3 Powers Court

Cambridge Park

Twickenham TW1 2JJ

United Kingdom

                Send an e-mail

Tel: 0797 119 8742

Fax: 0208 744 1056

Email: medicolegal@email.com

www.mentalhealthact1983.com