We’re fast approaching the second anniversary (hate, hate, hate using this word for this) of LB’s death [Howl]. 16 months after an independent report was published stating LB’s death was preventable.

Here’s an update of the latest update (March 2015). As always (and clearly forever) in no particular order:

1. The inquest: A fourth pre-inquest review meeting is being held at 2pm, September 9th, Oxford County Hall. All welcome. It’s a very public affair. The full inquest is scheduled to start on October 5th. Sloven have “unreservedly apologised” for LB’s death (as the curious Tory template (repeatedly) reminds us) but this hasn’t stopped them pulling all sorts of tricks along the pre-inquest journey. Including a bit of desperate back pedalling from that unreserved apology to argue that drowning is a natural cause of death.

2. Disciplinary councils: We referred one clinician to the GMC in May 2014. This investigation continues, slowed by some additional stuff that has cropped up. Apparently Sloven disciplinary processes led to an undisclosed number of undisclosed staff members referred to the (undisclosed) NMC. Who knows?

3. Police: The investigation continues. Staff interviews are underway.

4. Health and Safety Executive: The investigation (apparently) continues in line with 3. above.

5. Oxfordshire County Council: We’ve received legal advice on the “independent” report OCC commissioned into LB’s death without our knowledge. It seems that it is defamatory so there is ongoing legal action relating to this. OCC are sticking to the ‘We did nothing wrong’ line. Chilling really. The consultant is apparently working through the list comments/issues I was forced to identify a few weeks ago to revise the original report. I still say chuck it in the nearest bin but what power do we have? [I’m dreading receiving another version given the methodological approach].

6. Verita 2: This second, broader investigation into what happened to LB remains ongoing.

Mazars death review: The review into deaths in Sloven learning disability and mental health provision since 2011 has been extended by NHS England to allow additional work to be done. Given the announcement this week of a national review into the premature deaths of learning disabled people, this extended work makes sense.

So. That’s it really. When we sadly started #107days again this year, we naively thought some of these investigations would be completed during this time. It’s now clear that this ain’t going to happen.

It’s all a pile of cock rot really.

I’ll leave you with this pic from a holiday we had in July 2010. When life still had colour, beauty and the extraordinary (in a good way).