Daniel Young · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 5th February 2016 I opened an inquest into the death of Daniel Young, then aged 30 years.

The inquest concluded on 28th and 29th June 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was a narrative conclusion, the medical cause of death was shock and haemorrhage due to stab wound to the abdomen.

1. Daniel Young was a fit and healthy university lecturer. On 19th January 2016, he was randomly attacked on his way to work. He sustained a fatal stab wound to the abdomen.
2. His attacker (ML) had been a patient of local mental health services. He had suffered from periods of psychosis. He was known to be aggressive when psychotic.
3. At the time of the attack, ML was living in the community with no secondary mental health follow up. He had been discharged to his GP and told to remain on his antipsychotic medication for at least 6 months and only reduce them slowly, if at all. He was told that stopping the medication may lead to a relapse of his psychosis.
4. ML stopped his antipsychotics soon after discharge from the CMHT.
5. At the criminal trial ML was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

1. When ML was discharged to the care of his GP by the Community Mental Health team, he was warned not to stop his medication because of the risk of relapse.
2. GP surgeries do not routinely monitor that psychiatric patients are collecting their antipsychotics. Evidence revealed that it is not uncommon for such patients to stop their medication and relapse. Relapse puts them at a risk of harm to themselves and, sometimes, they pose a risk to others.
3. Following the death of Mr Young, the GP responsible for the care of ML has implemented a system within the practice to monitor the collection of antipsychotic medication of their patients. This is funded by the practice.
4. I attach a copy of the Protocol for Monitoring Collection of Antipsychotic Prescriptions.