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Deacon asks Mental Welfare Commission to investigate treatment of Noel Ruddle
18/08/1999
Scottish Executive Minister for Health and Community Care Susan Deacon has asked the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland to carry out an inquiry into the care and treatment Mr Ruddle received for his personality disorder in the State Hospital at Carstairs.
The Commission's remit includes investigating complaints into the care and treatment which a person with a mental disorder has received from health or other services, and conducting inquiries where it considers there might have been a deficiency in a person's care.
Ms Deacon has asked the Commission to:
· give particular focus to the assessment for and provision of suitable psychological interventions and whether they might have been appropriate and effective in relation to Mr Ruddle's diagnosis of personality disorder
· consider the actions taken by the State Hospital to provide such interventions and treatments for Mr Ruddle and further patients with a similar disorder.
· provide a report with approriate recommendations by the end of December 1999.
Ms Deacon said:
"In the light of Sheriff Allan's observations in his judgement on Mr Ruddle's case, I have asked the Commission to look particularly at the psychological treatment and interventions which might have been appropriate for Mr Ruddle's personality disorder, and provision for other patients with a similar diagnosis.
"As part of the action being taken by the Scottish Executive, I have asked the Commission to report by the end of the year with their findings and recommendations. It is important we ensure all patients in the State Hospital receive the treatment they require for their mental disorder.
"Jim Wallace has already made clear that we are looking urgently at the law in the light of the judgement in the Noel Ruddle case.
"We will also give prompt and serious consideration to any recommendations made by the Commission. The timetable for the review will also enable the MacLean Committee to take the Commission's findings and recommendations into account."
BACKGROUND
1. Under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, the Mental Welfare Commission has a statutory duty to protect people who may, by reason of mental disorder, be incapable of adequately protecting themselves or their interests. This extends to all mentally disordered persons no matter where they live.
2. The Mental Welfare Commission has a duty under section 3 (2)(e) of the 1984 Act to advise Ministers, Health Boards, NHS Trusts or a local authority on any matter arising out of this Act which has been referred to the Commission by Ministers, Health Boards, NHS Trusts or a local authority. It is under this section that this enquiry is being established.
3. The MacLean committee is reviewing the sentencing and treatment of serious violent and sexual offenders, including those with personality disorders, in Scotland. The committee will be taking account of the implications of the Ruddle case and is due to bring forward recommendations early next year.
News Release: 0344/99
18 August 1999