6 March 2001

INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO CARE AND TREATMENT OF JOHN PICCOLO

SANE, the mental health charity, today commented on the independent inquiry into the care and treatment provided for John Piccolo by North Essex Health Authority. Mr Piccolo was receiving treatment for depression when he shot his son Darren Piccolo, his ex-girlfriend Jane Smith, her boyfriend Martyn Cass and himself in September 1998. Martyn Cass and John Piccolo died as a result of the shootings.

Commenting on the case, Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of SANE, said: "The findings of this inquiry are sadly all too familiar. This is the third such incident to involve an independent inquiry into care provided by North Essex Health Authority, exposing the same shortcomings, of scant risk assessment, a lack of trained supervised professionals, and their failure to communicate vital information to each other.

"But, above all, this case illustrates the way in which families are excluded and their concerns not taken seriously throughout, leaving vulnerable people not only scarred by the tragedy but with a sense that they have not been heard and the lessons have not been learnt.

"The fact that Mr Piccolo was in contact with the health service for a period of months rather than years prior to his final deterioration does not excuse the delays and the quality of his care and treatment."

ends