Therapist's killing 'was a sacrifice'

A MOTHER broke down in tears yesterday as she told a public inquiry that her daughter - an occupational therapist who died after being stabbed by a psychiatric patient - was 'sacrificed' to inadequate mental health care.

Wendy Robinson told the inquiry at Newton Abbot, Devon, that her daughter, Georgina - who died five weeks after being stabbed repeatedly by man being treated for schizophrenia at Torbay hospital's Edith Morgan Unit - had been let down by a system which gave no thought to the safety of its staff and those who cared for the mentally ill.

'Georgina felt let down, betrayed, and the loss of her life was the price she paid,' Mrs Robinson said.

Miss Robinson's killer, Andrew Robinson (no relation), was sent to Broadmoor without limit of time after he admitted manslaughter.

The following month an independent investigation into the area's health care services recommended that the Edith Morgan Unit should be closed. The panel, headed by Sir Louis Blom Cooper QC, said it was reminiscent of 'a disused bus station' and was seriously prejudicial to effective mental health care.