§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on guidelines for security in secure mental health units. [29539]
§ Mr. BoatengNational Health Service Estates has produced a design guide for medium secure psychiatric units which provides general information for security in such units.
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§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many escapes there were from secure mental health units in 1997. [29538]
§ Mr. BoatengInformation about escapes is not collected centrally as a matter of routine. It is for the commissioning authorities to monitor the security arrangements of medium secure units.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in respect of the Arnold Lodge secure mental health unit in Leicester since April 1997. [29542]
§ Mr. BoatengThe only representations received were from my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to increase security at secure mental health units. [29540]
§ Mr. BoatengIt is an operational matter for individual trusts to satisfy themselves that adequate security measures exist relating to their own circumstances. Security at secure mental health units is achieved by a combination of staff operational procedures including risk assessment, physical design of the buildings and, where appropriate, fences together with locking and electronic security systems.