§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health to state the date on which Cathlene Murray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murray, 22, Oswald Street, Carlisle, and now a patient in Moss Side Hospital, Liverpool, was certified as a mental defective; and who was the certifying doctor.
§ Mr. VosperThe Order under the Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913–1938, in respect of this patient was made on 18th December, 1933, by a judicial authority who had before him two medical certificates that she was a feeble-minded person. It is not the practice to disclose the names of certifying doctors.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the parents of Cathlene Murray signed a document of consent for her detention in a mental-defective colony under the impression that this was for temporary treatment only; and, as she has now been an inmate of mental-defective homes for twenty-three years, what record he has of any explanation to them that the consent of her detention, which they signed, could not be withdrawn and was, in fact, for an indefinite period.
§ Mr. VosperNo. The father gave his written consent to his daughter being removed to a certified institution under the Acts and in the same document informed the local authority that she was in need of care and training which could not be provided in her home. The document102W contained no reference to temporary treatment or to any definite period of stay in the institution.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health what mental-defective colonies and hospitals Cathlene Murray has been in since the date of her certification as a defective; and what are the length and dates of her stay, respectively.
§ Mr. Vosper
- Dovenby Hall Colony, Cockermouth, Cumberland. 18th December, 1933 to 8th September, 1936.
- Rampton Hospital, Retford, Nottinghamshire. 8th September, 1936, to 26th July, 1938.
- Moss Side Hospital, Maghull, near Liverpool. 26th July, 1938, to 24th April, 1939.
- Rampton Hospital. 24th April, 1939, to 1st February, 1945.
- Dovenby Hall Colony. 1st February, 1945, to 23rd August, 1945.
- Rampton Hospital. 23rd August, 1945, to 17th March, 1950.
- Moss Side Hospital. 17th March, 1950, to 14th December, 1954.
- Prudhoe and Monkton Hospital, Prudhoe-on-Tyne, Northumberland. 14th December, 1954, to 1st July, 1955.
- Moss Side Hospital. 1st July, 1955, to date.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health how often, during her detention in institutions, Cathlene Murray has been medically examined in regard to her mental state; what were the dates of such examinations; and what were the special qualifications in psychiatry of the doctors conducting the examination on each occasion.
§ Mr. VosperIn addition to the medical examinations required by statute, this patient has been under constant review by the hospital medical staff who are fully qualified for this work.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health the reasons for Cathlene Murray's continued detention in hospital at the present time.
§ Mr. VosperShe is considered to be still in need of the care and training provided in a mental deficiency hospital.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health when Cathlene Murray's next medical examination, as to mental fitness, is due; and under what conditions it is possible for the patient or her parents to apply for an independent medical examination.
§ Mr. VosperThe next medical examination required by statute is due in 1960, 103W but such cases are constantly reviewed to assess their fitness for transfer, licence or discharge. The patient or her parents may at any time arrange with the medical superintendent for an independent medical examination. There is no provision whereby the cost of this can be borne by public funds.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health what medical treatment Cathlene Murray is receiving at Moss Side Hospital.
§ Mr. VosperShe is receiving treatment according to her needs and everything is being done for her rehabilitation.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, in 1955, consequent on an escape from Prudhoe and Monkton Hospital, Cathlene Murray spent several days at home after travelling some fifty miles across country; that, while at home, she showed herself to be an apparently intelligent and well-behaved person; and whether these facts will be considered favourably when the next assessment comes to be made of her alleged mental defect.
§ Mr. VosperThis patient left hospital without permission on 20th June, 1955, and was returned from her home early the next day. The Board of Control has no information as to her behaviour whilst absent from hospital.