AN inquiry into how a schizophrenic Holybourne man was able to enter a private house in Andover and stab a man to death, has laid the blame on failing NHS policy.

Six days after he was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, Christopher Moffatt (27), committed suicide in Broadmoor where he had been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Moffatt was one of three mental health patients living in Hampshire who went on to carry out killings and who, according to a 144-page report, were failed by a lack of financial investment in resources and mistakes in their care.

The independent review, commissioned by North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority and released last week, also criticises Hampshire County Council for the deaths inflicted by Christopher Moffatt, Mark Longman and Paul Huntingford between 1996 and 1998.

Mr Moffatt, the report says, absconded from Parklands Hospital in Basingstoke on February 19, 1998, before stabbing Anthony Harrison to death less than two months later.

Lindford man, Paul Huntingford, now 60, killed his mother Lena on Christmas Eve 1997 as he attempted to excorcise her - he thought she was possessed by the devil.

Mr Huntingford was at home because his admission to hospital had been delayed when it was discovered that a medical recommendation form had been incorrectly dated.

He was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity after a trial in November 1998.

Mark Longman (31) had been discharged from Park Prewett Hospital in January, 1995, before killing his father, Kenneth, by setting fire to him at their Basingstoke home.

He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and is presently detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Since these tragic killings, according to the inquiry, changes have been made in the provision of mental health services of which residents in North and Mid Hampshire should feel proud.

In his statement, inquiry chairman, Anselm Edergill explained that the purpose of the review had been to ensure that services provided to local people with such needs were "safe, effective and responsive".

He sought to express publicly the independent panel's deep sympathy for the families of all three men, acknowledging "the constructive and measured way" in which they had helped.

"Without their support the very real improvement to the local mental health services which have resulted from our review would not have been possible," he said.

In acknowledging the criticsm of local services as they were delivered in the past, director of planning performance and partnership at the North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority, Eileen Spiller, expressed her apologies for these shortcomings on behalf of the local NHS.

But, she pointed out: "The report contains some praise too and I am particularly pleased that the report commends NHS and local authority staff for their commitment to providing the best possible service to local people.

"North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority has increased spending on mental illness services by almost 45 per cent since 1997.

"New service developments include a short-term secure intensive care service, a longer-term secure intensive care unit and new assertive outreach teams.

"The number of beds available for North Hampshire residents has risen by almost 50 per cent since 1996 and annual expenditure on out-of-area placements has quadrupled from £200,000 in 1997 to a projected £800,000 in the current year.

"Much has been done and, of course, more remains to be done. But it is important to understand that this review covers a period of time in the early and mid 1990s.

"This said, there is no room for complacency and we remain determined to continue the process of service improvement that is currently underway in North and Mid Hampshire."

While accepting the findings of the report, assistant director of Hampshire County Council's social services, Andrew Brooker, made reference to the vast improvements which had been made in recent years and to the comprehensive action plans now in place to take the service forward.

"The report outlines what has happened since these tragic deaths in 1996/98. It notes that local authority spending on mental health services has risen by almost 25 per cent since that time.

"Spending is now above the average for English counties and since 1997/98 the county council has made an additional £2.8 million available for investment in mental health services.

"We are working closely with the health authority and the local NHS Trust to ensure the people of Hampshire have a modern and effective service of which they can be truly proud," he said.

Commenting on the outcome of the inquiry, the family of Christopher Moffatt say they feel the resulting report is "valuable" and they hope its recommendations will be monitored to ensure better services where they are needed to provide support and help for people like Christopher.

The family's concerns are not only for individuals with mental illness but for the families of everyone involved in tragedies like those in this report.

They also wish to see professional staff supported in their responsible and difficult work.