An independent expert has been appointed to chair the formal
investigation into the fatal stabbing of Lancashire community
support worker Philip Ellison.
Father-of-three Ellison, 47, was stabbed to death while working
in a mental health supported living scheme run by Lancashire county
council on 7 April. Service user Robert Searle, 51, has
been charged with his murder.
Dr Margaret Flynn, a principal research fellow at the centre for
health and social care research at Sheffield Hallam University,
will head up the three-month review into the incident.
An expert panel including senior health and social care
professionals, has already begun scrutinising records.
The review will include examining how Searle became a tenant of
the supported living service, which helps people with low-risk
mental health problems back into the community.
Dr Flynn said: “The primary purpose of our work is to learn the
lessons. While we cannot change what happened to Philip Ellison, I
very much hope that our work will change the future. Philip, his
wife and sons deserve no less.”
A summary of the findings of the review panel will be published
in a report with key recommendations.
Following Philip’s death, the Lancashire care foundation trust
and Lancashire county council agreed to undertake the investigation
under the Government’s Serious Untoward Incident (SUI)
procedure.
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