THE former head of a mental health trust being investigated over its care amid ten deaths has defended her performance.

Lisa Rodrigues stood down as chief executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in 2014 after 13 years in the post.

Eight of the ten deaths which were referred for an independent review happened during her tenure.

The review was announced after Matthew Daley was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for murdering retired solicitor Don Lock, 79. On the side of the A24 near Findon.

Current chief executive Colm Donaghy admitted the trust had “got things wrong” in Daley’s case.

His trial heard Daley had suffered serious mental health problems for the past ten years but his paranoid schizophrenia had not been diagnosed.

The Argus asked to interview Mrs Rodrigues, who was awarded a CBE for services to mental health during her time at the trust, about the impending review.

The paper also wanted to ask further questions about the performance of the trust under her leadership.

Shortly before Mrs Rodrigues stepped down, the results of a staff survey revealed concerns about a culture of blame and bullying.

During her period in office concerns were also raised over the death of patients at the trust’s hospitals in Hove, Worthing and St Leonards.

Mrs Rodrigues would not agree to an interview with The Argus, but issued the following statement.

She said: “I welcome the trust’s decision to look again at recommendations from past independent homicide investigations and whether further action is needed in the light of recent incidents.

“My understanding is that Sussex Partnership experiences relatively fewer incidents than other trusts of similar size. But that is not an excuse. Each is a tragedy for those affected.

“Providing mental health care is painstaking and demanding. It takes commitment and compassion. When things go wrong, staff are devastated.

“They rightly apologise, as I did on occasions during the time I was in charge.”

“My thoughts remain with those who have lost someone to homicide or suicide. There are no words to express how they must feel. I am so sorry for their loss.”

A Sussex Partnership spokesperson said there was no particular investigation running at the time of Mrs Rodrigues’ CBE announcement, other than the usual investigations into serious incidents that happen in all mental health services from time to time.

She said about 200 staff out of a workforce of 5,000 responded to the survey and the trust took the results seriously.

The independent review has not been commissioned because the trust feels there have been more homicides involving people known to its services than happen in other mental health trusts.

It says evidence shows the number of incidents is similar to other mental health trusts of comparable size.