HC Deb 30 October 1984 vol 65 cc964-6W
Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients from black and ethnic minority communities are detained in each special hospital.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: This information is not available.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will explain in detail the arrangements at Broadmoor hospital under which nurses can prescribe and administer medication in emergencies, and in particular indicate if there is a list of patients to whom such procedures can be applied.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: Instructions have been issued to all nursing staff at Broadmoor hospital that no nurse may administer any medication to any patient unless it has previously been prescribed in writing by a doctor.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied with the training received by staff at Broadmoor hospital into the physical handling of patients; and what steps he will be taking to remedy any deficiency;

(2) what guidance is available for the management of disputes between patients or between patients and staff and which lead or are likely to lead to violence; and what charges, if any, are envisaged as a result of the death of Michael Martin on 6 July at Broadmoor hospital.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: The anticipation and handling of disputes and violent incidents involving patients forms part of the initial and continuing training of the staff of special hospitals. A specific programme of training in the use of physical restraint where that becomes necessary has recently begun at Broadmoor hospital. Any question of charges would be a matter for the police who carried out a full investigation immediately following the death of Mr. Martin.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prevent the administration in any circumstances of the emergency medication 500mg sodium amytal and 200mg sparine.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: No. Decisions on medication must rest with the doctor concerned who will exercise his clinical judgment in the circumstances of each individual case.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many times urgent treatment under section 62 of the Mental Health Act 1983 has been administered at Broadmoor hospital since 30 September 1983.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: Information is not available in the form requested. A procedure was introduced at Broadmoor hospital in August 1984 under which responsible medical officers record for the information of the hospital management team any case where urgent treatment is given under section 62 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy about the use of seclusion in special hospitals; if he will set out in detail what it is for each special hospital; and what amendrnents will be made in the light of the verdict of the Bracknell coroners' court in the inquest into the death of Michael Martin at Broadmoor hospital.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 729]: A multi-disciplinary team of officers of our Department has in recent months carried out an extensive review of the policies for and use of seclusion in special hospitals. Their conclusions and recommendations are at present being discussed with the hospital management teams of the four special hospitals.