Elizabeth Ward has stated that psychiatrists knew her husband was at risk from being harmed by their son, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, and that there was an urgent need for her son not to live with his father (January 31). Her concerns are also supported by Mary Weir of the National Schizophrenia Foundation of Scotland.

The role of the carer or family of the mentally ill is a tenuous one. The rights of patient confidentiality make the carer's role extremely difficult when the symptoms of a mental illness are deteriorating. Unlike those caring for physical illness, carers of mental illness are rarely involved in discussion regarding the patient, the symptoms of the condition and its care, yet they are the very people constantly seeing the patient and can detect any significant change in the illness. However, more often than not, despite being carers, they have no right to voice such a concern.

Mrs Ward has not only displayed dignity and the loyalty of love throughout this dreadful tragedy, but she possessed the insight and wisdom to know that it was not her son who killed her husband but rather that it was the symptoms of his mental illness. It is essential, therefore, that those who are responsible for the provision of care in the community also possess such a wisdom and insight and pay heed to the voices of the carers and families when anxiety is expressed about the increasing severity and deterioration in the symptoms of mental distress of those in their care.

Jean Johnston, Brincliffe, West Dhuhill Drive, Helensburgh.