Harbour; Regan

This is a disturbingly shallow service delivery to a patient who needed a more active intervention.
And as usual nobody can be found to failed. Care is too diffused for that.


Regan was an alcoholic, known clearly to be so. He declares blackouts, great anxiety, often such that he does not leave his address. He is known to have “shakes” and is described as showing 'paranoia'.


That is not described.

The Inquiry Report indicates that believing that the Mental Health Act does not allow compulsory detention for alcohol abuse is a sound practice. It is not.

That seems to be the exculpating excuse offered by all the NHS helpers he has seen, for not doing anything worthwhile.

It is not a valid offer.
Complicated alcoholism is grounds for a detention Order.
Detoxification can be done, detained in hospital; and it is a good basis for aftercare preparation and insight, and a chance to catch up on what the family know.

They, as is usual these days, do not get a look in.
Not here, not nowadays


Here nobody wants responsibility and nobody holds the care together.

Pass the parcel is a good way of avoiding commitment.
Refer around and back

He is said to be offered in-patient care, day care, out-patient appointments.

The most successful offer is alcohol counselling support.

The system is driven by:-

1. we will not admit.

2. we will not share care with the family.

3. there will be nobody held to be in charge

This Report goes along with all that.
The family were far better informed and knew what was needed.
Where has social work history and family contact gone ?
A shaming collusion.
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