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Independent review published after mental health patient went on to commit murder

An independent review will be published into decisions made by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board after a mental health patient went on to commit murder after being released from one of its hospitals. Drug addict Deyan Deyanov killed Jennifer Mills-Westley from Norwich in 2011 at a resort in Tenerife.

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  1. Rob Shelley

Report criticises health board over Tenerife murder

Health Inspectorate Wales have made 19 recommendations for change with Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board's mental heal care after a highly critical report into the treatment of Deyan Deyanov - who was twice admitted to the Ablett Unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd: and who, months after his discharge, went on to kill 60 year old Jennifer Mills-Westley in a frenzied attack in a Spanish supermarket.

Grandmother Jennifer Mills-Westley was killed on the resort in 2011

The report says that despite Deyanov showing signs of religious mania - reported in staff notes that he had 'grandiose ideas that he is the Messiah and has powers from God', and paranoia, believing hidden cameras were trying to film him - he was diagnosed as 'malingering'

The report notes that staff who treated him and felt he was clinically ill felt over-ruled by staff who held to the view that he was malingering.

The recommendations deal with every aspect of his care: there's criticism of the limited contact and understanding of Deyanov's past - which could have been improved if there'd been more communication with his aunt in Flint; criticism of the standards of care - the way his diagnosis was reached - and what happened once Deyanov left North Wales' care system.

Betsi Cadwaladr in a statement say they will significantly improve their policies and procedures and acknowledge there were clear shortcomings in the care Deyan Deyanov received.

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