§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish the findings of the Swann inquiry into women's services at Ashworth special hospital.
§ Mr. BowisThe inquiry was set up by and submitted its report to the Special Hospitals Service Authority.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to inquire into allegations of over-medication in certain wards of Ashworth special hospital.
§ Mr. BowisThese allegations have been fully considered and investigated by local management in consultation with the clinical staff concerned. The Special Hopitals Service Authority is currently implementing an action plan for women patients, which includes a review of levels of medication.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the future of the social work service in special hospitals.
§ Mr. BowisSocial workers play an important role within multi-disciplinary teams at the special hospitals.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in special hospitals have become schizophrenic as a result of the withdrawal of neuroleptic drugs; and how many patients in special hospitals have been over-medicated on neuroleptic drugs, in each of the past two years.
§ Mr. BowisInformation about the treatment of individual patients in special hospitals is not available centrally. It is a matter for the Special Hospitals Service Authority.
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§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the incidents of patient violence at Ashworth special hospital(a) against staff and (b) against other patients, in each of the last two years.
§ Mr. BowisThis information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Anne-Marie Nelson, chairman of the Special Hospitals Service Authority, which has responsibility for Ashworth hospital, for details.