HC Deb 19 July 1888 vol 328 cc1765-6
MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What was the result of the inquiry by the Lunacy Commissioners into the death of the man Stickley at Colney Hatch Asylum?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

The Committee of Visitors have made a searching inquiry, which has been reviewed by the Commissioners. The result is that Stickley's injuries are believed to have occurred after he had been received in the asylum; but there was nothing to suggest any suspicion of violence or rough usage on the part of any officer or servant. The Commissioners have censured the Medical Superintendent severely for laxity in his examination of the patient, and for omissions in the notice of death to the Coroner. They have also blamed the assistant medical officer, and have re-commended the dismissal of two attendants in the bath-room who left the patient before he was completely dressed. The Commissioners are of opinion that further inquiry would not lead to any good result.

MR. W. REDMOND

asked, whether there was anything to show how the patient received the injuries if he did not receive them from some of the attendants?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, that that was the subject upon which the inquiry principally turned, and every effort seemed to have been made to ascertain how they were sustained; but the Commission failed to get any complete account.

Mr. CHILDERS (Edinburgh, S.)

inquired, whether the principal medical officer who was so severely censured would be allowed to remain at Colney Hatch.

MR. MATTHEWS

said, that he was not aware whether the Commissioners thought he deserved dismissal as well as censure. His censure was for his careless examination of the patient; but whether that amounted to anything calling for dismissal he was not aware.

MR. CHILDERS

remarked that he did not suggest the dismissal, but the transfer of the medical officer.

MR. MATTHEWS

promised to consider that question, and also whether the Report of the Commissioners should be laid upon the Table of the House.