THE report into ten killings involving mentally ill patients in the care of the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust has been swiftly produced.

It was commissioned by chief executive Colm Donaghy in the wake of the killing of Don Lock by Matthew Daley, whose trial in the summer revealed serious questions about the trust’s care of the latter.

This was a commendable action so that the trust can now begin to address its shortcomings.

But perhaps more worrying is the clear indication that Sussex is not particularly better nor worse than other mental health trusts across the UK.

That should give us all pause for thought.

Victims such as Susan Goswell, stabbed to death by her husband, most decidedly deserved better from medical professionals and care agencies.

And while it must be acknowledged that it can never be easy to predict the behaviour of those suffering from mental illness, it is nevertheless surely unacceptable that is seven cases risk assessments were inadequate and that staff knowledge of crucial powers they had under the Mental Health Act, not least to detain patients, was questionable.

We surely echo Mr Donaghy’s conclusion that the report must lead to a change of clinical practice and behaviour.

Nothing less is acceptable.

But talk is one thing, action is another.

And that is what we must see now.