The family of an man who was unlawfully killed at a mental health unit in Basingstoke have said both he and his attacker were “failed by the systems responsible for their care”.
Richard Laversuch, 63, from Andover, died at Parklands Hospital on November 27, 2021, after being strangled by another patient, Owen Herbert, then aged 18, from Overton.
An inquest with a jury, held at Winchester Coroner’s Court between July 13 and July 29, concluded that Mr Laversuch was unlawfully killed, with jurors identifying a series of staff failings which led to Mr Herbert being admitted to an inappropriate and less secure ward.
In a statement issued following the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Laversuch’s family said: “Our brother Richard was wise, gentle and funny when well.
“No-one asks to develop a psychotic illness. It can occur in any one and within any family showing no respect for social position. Owen is as much a victim as our brother who died violently in a place where he should have been safe.”
The family said Mr Laversuch’s death was caused by failures to adequately intervene in Mr Herbert’s care, despite earlier warning signs and pleas for help.
They added: “Serious psychiatric illness deserves to be treated to the same standards as serious physical illnesses, such as heart attack or stroke.
“Community care teams should recognise that some people become so mentally ill that they don’t realise they are ill and refuse treatment. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be treated. Inpatient supervised treatment is not a failure of care.”
They also called for greater support for families caring for loved ones experiencing psychosis.
“Owen and his family were also affected by the systemic failings. He was seriously unwell and did not receive the care he needed. They deserve our compassion.
“It can be a frightening, dangerous and lonely experience.”
The family also expressed appreciation for the ‘dedicated and excellent individuals’ working in mental health services and for police who provide places of safety during crises.
During the inquest, jurors heard that Mr Laversuch, who had schizophrenia, had been staying on Juniper Ward, an acute admissions ward, while awaiting discharge.
Mr Herbert was admitted shortly after 11pm on November 26, 2021, following a Mental Health Act assessment.
Evidence heard he had been experiencing severe psychotic symptoms, including hearing voices telling him that “life is a game” and that he must obey or face being “tortured” or “erased”.
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He had also been seen leaving his home carrying knives, a cricket bat and other weapons, and had exposed himself in public.
Despite this, he was admitted to Juniper Ward after no bed was available in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where he should have been placed.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust accepted that this decision did not meet national standards. The trust also acknowledged that Juniper Ward was “insufficiently staffed” on the night.
The jury found that staff carried out a risk assessment based on “brief observation” and placed “over-reliance on the calm presentation of the patient”.
Jurors also identified missed opportunities to escalate concerns.
The jury heard that Mr Herbert had attempted to strangle another patient but was investigated by staff who believed he was asleep.
At 3.55am, he entered Mr Laversuch’s room and was found strangling him. A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death as manual strangulation.
In a statement, Brid Doherty, a civil liberties lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen representing the family, said: “Richard and Owen were abjectly failed by the systems responsible for their care.
“Richard’s death could and should have been prevented, but a succession of serious failings and missed opportunities to act ultimately led to a wholly avoidable tragedy.
“Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire County Council, who employed the Approved Mental Health Professional, failed both families, and urgent action is now needed to ensure meaningful change, prevent further loss of life, and protect other families from suffering the same devastating loss.”
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