§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the security arrangements at Dykebar hospital, Paisley, with particular reference to an incident involving a patient who had been transferred from Carstairs state hospital. [9370]
Lord James Douglas Hamilton[holding answer 23 January 1996]: The security arrangements for restricted patients at Dykebar hospital are kept under review by Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS trust. The level of security and supervision imposed on individual patients will reflect the circumstances of each case and, in particular, considerations of public safety.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place for assessing the security risk of patients who have been transferred from Carstairs state hospital to community-based mental health hospitals and who have subsequently escaped or left such hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [9373]
Lord James Douglas Hamilton[holding answer 23 January 1996]: Public safety is the prime consideration when a restricted patient escapes or absconds from a mental health hospital. Any subsequent action to alert the general public and to effect recapture will reflect that priority. The procedures followed when any such incident occurs are set out in the Scottish Office memorandum on procedure, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The circumstances of any escape or absconding are carefully reviewed. Where appropriate, the patient is returned immediately to the state hospital.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the procedure for transferring an individual committed to Carstairs state hospital to mainstream community hospitals dealing with mental health; what is the range of security measures which can be made available; what restrictions are placed upon the free movement of such patients outwith the curtilage and precincts of the hospital; how(a) the risks to the community and (b) the needs of the individual are assessed and by which bodies; and if he will make a statement; [9372]
(2) if patients transferred from the Carstairs state hospital who are transferred to community-based hospitals dealing with mental health are, or can be, made subject to security restrictions; what options are available for dealing with such individuals; who 734W determines what arrangements should be put in place; and if he will make a statement; [9369]
(3) what arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of the community in the vicinity of local mental health hospitals, with particular reference to patients transferred from Carstairs state hospital; what assessment is made of the need for security when such a patient is transferred; what reassessment is made when such a patient absents him or herself from the hospital; and if he will make a statement. [9368]
Lord James Douglas Hamilton[holding answer 23 January 1996]: The transfer of a patient, who is subject to the special restrictions in section 62 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, from the state hospital, Carstairs, to a local mental health hospital requires my consent, which will be given only when I am satisfied, on the basis of reports from the responsible medical officer, my Department's psychiatric adviser and other relevant information, that the patient no longer requires treatment in the special security of the state hospital and that the arrangements proposed for treatment and supervision in the local hospital are appropriate. Such transfers constitute an important step in the rehabilitation of the patient and are designed to begin a gradual but supervised process towards eventual integration into the community. Treatment plans in each case are geared to individual circumstances and reflect both the health and safety requirements of the patient and public protection considerations.
Movement outwith the hospital is permitted only following careful assessment by the clinical team, in collaboration, where appropriate, with other professional interests, and with the approval of my Department. Initially, the patient will be escorted by hospital staff.
The progress of a restricted patient in a local hospital is carefully monitored and regular reports are submitted to the Scottish Office. In addition, my Department's psychiatric adviser visits each patient annually and will do so more frequently, if required. Should a patient not respond satisfactorily or abscond from the hospital, the treatment plan is completely re-assessed. Where necessary, the patient can be returned immediately to the state hospital.
The procedures to be followed, in cases where transfer or leave of absence of restricted patients fail to be considered, are set out in a Scottish Office memorandum on procedure, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.