NHS ‘foolishness’

I’m totally dumbfounded by the findings of Verita, with regards to the Lucy Yates stabbing, in 2008 (Gazette, July 5).

One missed chance to identify Samuel Reid-Wentworth as a dangerous individual is bad enough – but three!

That’s unforgivable.

Because of these failings, one innocent woman has been faced with, what I can only imagine is, a life of utter hell – reliving the moment she was almost killed.

What cost will the community have to face before incidents like this are prevented and averted? Do we have to wait until someone dies to see these failings truly addressed?

I know the NHS executive in your story said that the recommendations made by Verita had been accepted and acted upon.

However, Nick Gibb claimed that he was still “concerned” with the care offered by mental health workers to their patients. If our local MP, who should surely know more about the inner workings of the NHS than the average lay person, is concerned, then how on earth are we meant to feel safe and reassured?

I need to see some definitive action by the NHS to prevent future tragedies like this from happening.

I hope the NHS’ promise to act isn’t all just words and political mumbo-jumbo...

Peter Smythe

South Terrace

Littlehampton