GP refused meds to patient who killed hotel worker

Marta Elena Vento was killed while she was working alone at a Travelodge hotel

A GP refused to prescribe antipsychotic medication to a man who killed a hotel receptionist the following day, an inquest has heard.

Stephen Cole, 32, launched a 42-minute assault on Marta Elena Vento, 27, at the Travelodge in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 9 December 2020.

Dr Francisco Graña, from Orchid House Surgery in Ferndown, said he was unable to renew Cole's prescription without advice from a psychiatrist.

However, he said he would have acted with more urgency if he had known about Cole's history of violence.

Ms Elena Vento died after being punched, kicked and attacked with hair clippers on a solo night shift at the hotel.

Cole attacked her because he felt "judged" when he came down to reception and she smiled at him, the inquest previously heard.

In 2021, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility due to a psychotic episode and was given an indefinite hospital order.

Stephen Cole thought the hotel fire alarms were watching him, it was heard

Cole was taken to the GP on 8 December when his family, originally from Reading, became concerned about his behaviour, the inquest previously heard.

He thought fire alarms in his Travelodge room were watching him, his father Roy Cole said.

The doctor's refusal to prescribe the antipsychotic drug olanzapine left Stephen Cole "crying" and "in the worst state I've ever seen him", the father added.

However, Dr Graña said his patient was "calm and composed" during the appointment.

He said an olanzapine prescription could only be renewed by GPs who had sufficient knowledge of the patient, including the reason for previously taking it and a supervision plan.

The doctor offered a referral to the community mental health team which Cole refused, the coroner heard.

Cole launched the attack when Ms Elena Vento smiled at him, the court heard

Previously, the inquest was told the killer was released from Winchester prison on 27 October 2020 with a four-week supply of olanzapine.

A prison psychiatrist had noted: "His risk to others will have to be closely monitored as he has assaulted prisoners and staff in an unprovoked manner."

However, prison healthcare contractor PPG did not alert the GP about his release.

Four days before the GP appointment, Cole was evicted from another Bournemouth hotel for allegedly attacking guests and staff, the coroner previously heard.

Dr Graña said he thought Cole's bruises from the fights were a sign that he was a "victim of violence, rather than perpetrator".

He said he was not aware of the prison attacks.

The GP said he did not seek urgent advice about Cole's mental health because he did not think he was an emergency case.

The coroner has previously heard olanzapine could take several weeks to have a significant effect.

Ms Elena Vento's parents, from Valencia, Spain, are following the six-week Bournemouth inquest by video link.

Addressing them in Spanish, Dr Graña expressed his condolences and his hope that the inquest would provide the answers they sought.