Friern Hospital (Hansard, 29 November 1977)

§ Mr. Ennals

At its meeting yesterday the North East Thames RHA considered the report of the Friern Hospital of its appointed monitoring team and has issued a statement setting out its position.

In its statement the authority makes it clear that it cannot confirm the allegations made in the report of unlawful practice in relation to informal patients at Friern Hospital. It also places on record its complete confidence in the professional integrity and skills of the consultant and other staff at the hospital.

I welcome this statement and agree with it. Friern Hospital has reason to be proud of its many outstanding achievements. I very much regret and deplore that its dedicated and highly competent staff should have been exposed to much 115W speculation, comment and unjustifiable allegations in the media as a result of unauthorised disclosure of parts of the report even before the authority have reached any conclusions on the matter. I have every sympathy for the difficult position in which they have been placed and trust that this will now be ended.

There are a number of issues raised in the report including the organisation of the hospital, the use of day hospitals, the development of services for the elderly severe mentally infirm and rehabilitation therapy services which the regional health authority has, quite properly, referred to the Camden and Islington AHA for further study. Again I welcome this approach.

The Government are currently reviewing the Mental Health Act and are well aware of the genuine doubts expressed in a number of quarters as to the extent to which the provisions of the Act bear upon the care and treatment of informal patients. I shall be pleased to consider in the context of that review any observations which the North East Thames RHA or any other RHA may decide to refer to me arising from the practice followed at hospitals in its region.