§ 29. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Health whether he will cause an inquiry to be set up to investigate the circumstances relating to the recent escape of two male patients from the Rampton State Institution.
§ Mr. VosperTwo Senior Commissioners of the Board of Control have carried out an investigation at Rampton Hospital, and I am awaiting a report from the Board.
§ 30. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Health to what extent Rampton State Institution is understaffed.
§ Mr. VosperI assume the Question refers to nursing staff. Out of a complement of 140 male and 105 female staff, there are seven and 12 vacancies, respectively.
§ Mr. BellengerWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the improvement which he announced this afternoon in answer to Question No. 10—an 8 per cent. increase in recruiting over the nine months of last year—applies to this hospital?
§ Mr. VosperI am afraid that I have not available the previous staffing figures for Rampton, but I should have thought that there had been an improvement. There was a full complement of staff in the ward from which the two patients escaped.
§ Mr. M. StewartCan the Minister say anything about other kinds of staff? In particular, is Rampton so staffed that the patients there can not only be kept under restraint and looked after in the ordinary way, but can be given treatment appropriate to their condition?
§ Mr. VosperThe inference behind that question, presumably, is that the staffing complement of Rampton is inadequate. I have no reason to think that that may be the case.
§ 31. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the local apprehension caused by the recent escapes from Rampton State Institution and the subsequent terrorising of peaceful citizens; and if he will therefore make arrangements to ensure that immediate warning shall be given to local inhabitants in the event of future escapes.
§ Mr. VosperYes, Sir; as regards the second part of the Question, I am awaiting a report from the Board of Control.