Wards of dope

M.Lester

I agree that it's pathetic. Presumably, though, in this PC world, if nurses did challenge said individuals, they could easily be prosecuted or at least accused; even the police can't stop people ay more. Is't it more of a problem with our crazy laws, Human Rights (especially for those who would readily harm others) etc.

THX1138

According to Prof Robin Murray of Institute of Psychiatry, around10% of the adult population of the UK are prone to paranoid thoughts or grandiose idea's It would seem that they are over represented on this blog. One probably needs a bit of puff in hospital to take your mind off the chance of dying of MRSA on a mixed sex ward.

Geoff

When my wife had the great misfortune to be in St Clements Psychiatric Hospital in Mile End, London in 2002 I noticed that many of the Black and Asian patients were visited by "friends" who hung about in the grounds and formed huddles that looked very much like dealing to me. One West Indian girl who was severely disturbed was even getting out during the day to be put on the streets as a prostitute by her minders. What was obvious to me on my visits seemed to be invisible to the staff.

A. Carter

This rubbish that nobody has any right to stop criminality is simply untrue - Sec 3(1)of the Criminal Law Act 1967 says that 'ANY PERSON may use as much force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of a crime'. Last time I checked, supplying a prohibited drug to another was a crime. They also have a duty of care to those in their charge under article one of the European Convention on Human Rights as enshrined in the Human Rights Act. That legislation can be used to prosecute public authorities including Health Authorities, who fail to take reasonable steps to protect or even by omission allow harm to befall those in their care. Who are these people that make these excuses for these so called professionals? Surely they should get their facts straight?

Austin Barry

Today common sense in these circumstances is compromised by two concerns: Human Rights and the liklihood that the Morlocks are tooled-up with knives. Best to look away, collect your pay cheque and wonder when and why it all went wrong.

field

Yes, it's v. difficult to see how you can stop this sort of thing in modern society. If you are serious about tackling it, then you would have to approach it from the other end, and make it an offence for patients to be intoxicated in this way in such facilities and arrange for a testing regime. That would have some effect. I doubt Melanie really wants to see a full blown system of cavity searches and all the rest for all visitors does she? THX - Very drole but "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you" is probably a valid approach with respect to the attentions of one creed much mentioned these days, and particularly if you are say an Israeli given to occasional feelings of paranoia...They really are out to get you I'm afraid.

Damien Spillane

Yes we have exactly the same problems in Australia. The psych wards down here have drugs frequently smuggled in that inhibits the patient's prospects for improving in mental state. It is a very difficult process to stop since the visitors and patients have "rights" coming out of their ears.

A.Carter

'staff say that they have no rights to stop patients and friends coming in or out, or to search anyone who may be carrying drugs'...again wrong. Nightclubs across the country operate a search at the door or no entry policy as conditional to admission. There is no reason on earth why the hospitals can't do the same. Furthermore if someone objects, presumably a drug dealing friend/relative , let them sue(would they though?). There isn't a court in the land that would not back the policy as a proportionate and necessary answer to the problem. I smell a lot of copping out here of their clear obligations to patient care through a lack of will to get to grips with the problem.

A. Carter

Prisons and sports grounds also operate a search or no admission policy, like nightclubs. Why don't the hospitals? Again, I smell a cop out.

Brendan

Dear Melanie, I have recently taken part in searching some wards in a local hospital for drugs.I am a policeman and my station has an energetic liaison officer . We can do this with consent of the hospital all it needs is a little thought. We found loads of drugs and alcohol, no surprise to anyone.