§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the industrial action taken by the 241W Prison Officers Association nurses of Rampton hospital in the last year, giving, in each case, the stated reason and the effect on patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince November 1979, patients in villa wards have been prevented from receiving visitors in their own wards. Instead, together with all other patients, they receive their visitors in the hospital's main recreation hall. This restriction followed a meeting of the local branch of the Prison Officers Association—POA—which adopted a resolution that
Until there is a satisfactory solution of the allegations procedure, there will be no villa visiting.Police inquiries had been instituted following accusations of ill-treatment of patients in a television programme in May 1979 and staff had expressed the view that visiting arrangements should enable any complaints or allegations by patients' visitors to be made known immediately to a senior representative of nursing management.In May 1980, the local POA branch passed a resolution declaring its
non-co-operation with the media until all enquiries and investigations at the hospital have been completed and their findings made known".Since then, POA members have resisted any media access to the hospital. This has no direct effect on patients.
Since May 1981, nursing staff have insisted that a minimum of two staff should escort any patient moving about the hospital grounds. This decision followed the adoption of a resolution by the local POA branch which stated that the purpose of the minimum provision was:
To prevent any situation where nurses could be accused of ill-treatment and there are no other staff witnesses.This resolution had been adopted following the conviction of a member of the nursing staff on a charge of assaulting a patient during an incident when no other staff member was present. The effect of this action has been that in some cases an escort has consisted of two members instead of one.Since mid-May 1982, nursing staff have been taking industrial action which limits patient movements. Details of this action and of its effects are given in my reply today to the hon. Member's question concerning the current industrial action at Rampton hospital.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a full statement on the industrial action currently being taken by the Prison Officers Association members at Rampton special hospital.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDiscussions have been taking place at the hospital for some time on the provision of formal guidance on the management of violent incidents involving patients. It has been agreed that its provision would be desirable and work on it has been undertaken. Since mid-May, nursing staff at the hospital have been taking industrial action in support of their demands for a document by refusing to provide escorts for patient working parties in the hospital grounds outside the secure perimeter and by refusing escorts to facilitate leave of absence from the hospital for patients. The latter restriction prevents patients from taking part in re-socialisation activities outside the hospital; from visiting other hospitals or hostels with a view to possible transfer; and from having leave of absence for personal reasons. The local branch of the Prison Officers Association—POA—has indicated its intention to continue this action until it has an agreed document on handling violent incidents.
242WI deplore any action by staff which may affect the interests of patients.
The Rampton hospital review board, at its meeting on 25 May, approved the terms of a draft document which was then passed to the local POA branch for comment. The board is pursuing this matter urgently.