§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will suspend outside visits from Broadmoor hospital until an investigation on the escape of Alvada Kooken in Southsea, Portsmouth, on 23 June is completed.
§ Mr. HayhoeI understand that no further group outings from Broadmoor hospital are planned at present, and that arrangements for any future outings will take account of any lessons learned from Miss Kooken's absconding. It is not proposed to insist on any restrictions on other outside visits — each of which is carefully considered before approval.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an urgent review of outside visits by patients of Broadmoor hospital following the escape of Alvada Kooken.
§ Mr. HayhoeSpecial hospital leave and outing arrangements have been reviewed on a number of occasions in recent years; and they are automatically reconsidered when there is an incident of some sort from which lessons might be learnt. The hospital has been asked for an urgent report on the regrettable incident.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were in the party including Alvada Kooken, from Broadmoor hospital, who visited Southsea on 23 June.
§ Mr. HayhoeThere were 16 patients, accompanied by six nurses and a driver.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital officials accompanied the group from Broadmoor hospital on its visit to Southsea on 23 June.
§ Mr. HayhoeSix nurses from the hospital accompanied the group.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients of Broadmoor have escaped whilst on outside visits in the last five years.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients of Broadmoor have absconded whilst on day release or some other form of approved temporary absence during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeApart from Miss Kooken, one.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what procedures are followed when it is discovered that a patient of Broadmoor has absconded whilst on day release or some other form of approved temporary absence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeIn the case of a patient absconding while on escorted leave from the hospital, standing instructions require escorts to notify the local police immediately and to stand by to give any assistance or information the police might require. The hospital is also informed of the situation and, in the case of group outings, the remainder of the party is returned under escort to the hospital.