§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many charges of assault by nurses on patients at Rampton mental hospital are pending.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDetailed information about charges is a matter for the prosecuting authorities. The latest information available to me indicates that one or more charges are at present outstanding against 10 individuals but not all of these relate to assault.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the police received full co-operation from nurses at Rampton mental hospital during their inquiries into complaints of assault on patients by nurses.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeStaff in the Department's headquarters and at Rampton hospital have given the police a great deal of assistance in their enquiries. Nursing staff against whom allegations were made were entitled as a matter of law to refuse to make statements if they wished and I understand that some of them did refuse.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses at Rampton mental hospital have been (a) charged and (b) convicted of assault on patients during the past two years; how many of these retained their positions at the hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeCharges, not all of which have alleged assault, have been brought against 22 members or former members of the nursing staff at Rampton hospital up to 7 July. All of these nurses then employed at the hospital were suspended from duty when charged. Many of the trials have not yet taken place.
Four nurses have been convicted of some or all of the offences with which they were charged. In all these cases, normal departmental and Civil Service disciplinary procedures for the special hospitals are being followed. In the case of one nurse who was convicted in March 1981, of one charge under section 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, the recommendation of the Civil Service appeal board has recently been received and is being considered, as explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk)—[Vol. 27, c. 242–3]—on 9 July. Meanwhile he is suspended from duty.
In the cases of the other three nurses, the convictions in May 1982 were under section 126 of the Mental Health Act 1959, under which it is an offence
to ill treat or wilfully neglecta patient who is receiving treatment for mental disorder in hospital. Charges under this section can involve allegations of assault but do not necessarily do so in all cases. While disciplinary procedures are being carried through, these staff remain suspended from duty.One nurse has been acquitted of eight charges, but has still to be tried on other charges. He remains suspended from duty.
381WSix nurses have been acquitted of all charges against them and charges brought against one nurse, and against one former nurse, have been dropped. These seven have been reinstated in their positions at the hospital.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what restrictions are being imposed by nurses at Rampton mental hospital on patients privileges; what actions he is taking about this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 9 July.—[Vol. 27, c.240–41.]