HL Deb 17 October 1988 vol 500 cc1003-4WA
Lord Harris of Greenwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the report of the Chief Inspector of Prisons on Risley Remand Centre, women patients with gross personality disorders are now located in the prison hospital.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

At the time of the inspection in February seven single rooms in the women's hospital could not be used because of manning difficulties. That remains the position. Since the inspection the approved nursing complement has been increased and the department has taken urgent step to recruit additional nurses to enable the unused accommodation to be brought into operation. The recruitment process will be completed as soon as possible. In the meantime some patients are being accommodated outside but close to the hospital. The allocation of patients to available beds is determined clinically by the managing medical officer.