§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the specific training in the use of physical restraint recently begun at Broadmoor hospital will include training in the use of riot shields;
(2) if there has been any training involving the use of riot shields at any of the special hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to the reply, 30 November 1984, c. 625]: Staff at Broadmoor hospital and Rampton hospital have taken part, on a voluntary basis, in approved training courses in the techniques of handling violent patients. These courses cover the use of polycarbonate shields in certain circumstances to avoid injury to the patient, to other patients, and to staff. Training already covers the planning of general routines and organisation at the hospitals, of individual patient programmes, and of patient-staff relationships, in a way that will normally avoid violent incidents arising. No polycarbonate shields are held at either hospital.