Care of schizophrenic man strongly criticised

A schizophrenic man who killed his stepfather and left his mother for dead was let down by professionals in health, housing, and social services, according to an independent report published last week.

Social workers, psychiatrists, and housing managers were criticised for “fundamental and depressing” failures, in what was said to be one of the most damning reports of its kind. Professionals in the separate agencies “did not seem to be talking to each other,” the report said.

Martin Mursell, aged 28, stabbed his disabled stepfather Joseph Collins 18 times and his mother, …