HEALTH care and social services professionals failed to recognise a disabled pensioner, stabbed to death by her husband, was a victim of domestic abuse, a report has concluded.
Despite repeated assertions by 80-year-old Barbara Heywood that she did not feel safe with her 89-year-old husband Arthur Heywood, he was discharged from hospital back to their home in Ramsay Avenue, Farnworth, on March 20, 2019.
Seven days later, and just a day after their 59th wedding anniversary, he stabbed his wheelchair-bound wife to death.
Mr Heywood was later diagnosed as suffering from dementia and could not stand trial. However a jury at Manchester Crown Court found he had killed his wife and Judge Alan Conrad QC made him the subject of a hospital order.
A domestic homicide review, incorporating a safeguarding adults review, was carried out by the Be Safe Bolton Strategic Partnership and Bolton Safeguarding Adults Board to consider whether lessons could be learned from the tragic case.
The report, which uses pseudonyms for Mr and Mrs Heywood, has now been published and concludes that there were missed opportunities to help the retired nurse.
READ MORE: Pensioner repeatedly told social workers she did not feel safe
Tragic pensioner: Lessons to be learned
It states: "Domestic abuse is often mistakenly believed to be something that does not involve nor impact upon the elderly, both as victims and perpetrators.
"That is a perception or belief that is wrong and illustrated by a number of other cases nationally.
"However, that was not the reason the domestic abuse was missed in this case. The panel are clear, the core lesson here is that professionals simply did not recognise what they were being told about was domestic abuse.
"It appears professionals may have treated [Mr Heywood's] abusive behaviour as connected to, and a manifestation of, his underlying medical condition."
The report concludes that, had a discharge planning meeting been held before Mr Heywood was sent home from hospital after treatment for kidney problems, then Mrs Heywood's views may have been better understood.
A decision by a social worker not to progress Mrs Heywood's concerns about her husband's behaviour towards her to a formal investigation and consider further support which could be offered to the pensioner was also regarded as "inappropriate".
"Several assumptions, some incorrect or inappropriate, appear to have led to the decision", states the report.
The review has made a series of recommendations aimed at helping professionals improve the way they deal with domestic abuse cases.
READ MORE: Judge rules OAP who killed wife should stay in hospital
Responding to the review and recommendations, Chief Supt Stuart Ellison, chairman of the Be Safe Bolton Strategic Partnership, said: “This is a very tragic case and on behalf of both partnerships, I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family.”
“We commissioned the review to see if there were any lessons to be learned to improve the way we work together to protect victims of domestic abuse and also to reduce the risk of harm to those with care and support needs”.
“The findings and recommendations of the review panel have been shared with all the agencies involved in the review. The review has identified learning which we are determined to ensure is taken forward to improve our overall response to domestic abuse”
“Be Safe and Bolton Safeguarding Adults Board have developed a comprehensive action plan to implement the recommendations and we will ensure that we continue to work together with our partners to minimise risks to victims of domestic abuse and those with care and support needs.”
In a joint statement, Bolton Council and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: "This was a very tragic case, and our thoughts remain with the family and everyone affected by such a shocking incident.
“We have assessed our safeguarding procedures, reviewed staff training and new measures are already in place based on the recommendations in this report.
“Valuable lessons have been learned, and this case should serve as a reminder to everyone that domestic abuse can affect anyone of any age or background."
Anyone concerned about domestic abuse should call the police on 101.
If you are in immediate danger, phone 999 or get someone else to phone on your behalf.
Further support can be found by contacting Endeavour on 01204 394842 or Fortalice (24-hour support) on 01204 365677.
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