Failings In Killer Case

A healthcare trust in Newcastle have apologised for failings in the care they gave to a Washington man who went on to brutally murder his 14 year old nephew.

Alan Cooper was jailed for life for stabbing Jordan Cooper to death after an argument about a mobile phone back in April 2011.

Cooper, who was 32 at the time of the attack, admitted killing his nephew but claimed diminished responsibility.

He was under the care of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust so an investigation was launched into his treatment.

The full report can be viewed here

NTW Medical Director Dr Douglas Gee said:

“We welcome the publication of this report and our thoughts are very much with the family at what must be an extremely difficult time.

Following the death we carried out a review and we made a number of changes to the way we provide care. We fully accept the findings of the report and we sincerely apologise for the shortcomings identified within it.

Since 2011 the Trust has made significant changes in the way we deliver our community and inpatient services. For example, a street triage team is now in place where our nurses work alongside police officers. Individual teams now also have strong links with their local police team and the Trust’s Safeguarding staff are also available to help and support healthcare professionals to access information.

We have looked closely at all of the actions raised in our own investigation and have introduced new systems and practices to ensure that the shortcomings which were identified will not happen again. We have already taken steps to implement the recommendations of this report and will now review what additional actions are needed and ensure that any outstanding issues are addressed.

Our thoughts remain with the family.”