Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Special Hospital, January 1999
Terms of Reference:
(i)To investigate the functioning of the Personality Disorder Unit at Ashworth Hospital following allegations about misuse of drugs and alcohol, financial irregularities, possible paedophile activity and the availability of pornographic material within the Personality Disorder Unit;
(ii) to review, in the light of these investigations:-
(a) the policies, clinical care and procedures of the Personality Disorder Unit;
(b) the security arrangements for the Personality Disorder Unit;
(c) the management arrangements at the Hospital for assuring effective clinical care, appropriate security for patients and arrangements for visiting on the Personality Disorder Unit;
(iii) to submit a full report to the Secretary of State for Health and to make recommendations for action.
Chair:
His Honour Judge Peter Fallon QC
Panel Members:
Professor Robert Blugrass, Professor Brian Edwards, Mr Granville Daniels
Dates:
Establishment: 7 February 1997
Hearings: Preliminary hearings 7 August and 10 October 1997; hearings from 3 November 1997 to 6 July 1998
Report: January 1999
Description of the events which caused the public concern:
Allegations made by a former patient, Mr Steven Daggett, about the misuse of drugs and alcohol, financial irregularities, possible paedophile activity and the availability of pornographic material on the Personality Disorder Unit at Ashworth Hospital.
Litigation
None related to inquiry conduct
Summary of reports recommendations
Detailed recommendations on the following matters:
- Ashworth Hospital
- The Personality Disorder Unit
- Future Services
- Prison Service
- Monitoring and Inspection
- Accountability in the NHS
- Mental Health Legislation
- Policies
- Child Protection
- Social Work Department
- Physical Security
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