Villagers’ outrage at mental hospital plan
By Katherine Skellon
MORE than 200 angry villagers say they will continue to fight plans to house patients detained under the Mental Health Act at a unit near their homes.
At an emotive public meeting protesters met representatives from Llanarth Court Hospital at Goytre Village Hall.
It was held to allay fears that dangerous criminals, including rapists, paedophiles, arsonists and murderers, could be housed in Beechwood House Four officials from Llanarth Court, a medium secure hospital near Abergavenny (which, along with Beechwood House, is run by Partnerships in Care) told the residents 17 male patients, aged 18 to 65, will be detained under the Mental Health Act.
Concerned villagers, who have collected a 500-name petition, heard that half the patients would be civil cases, those diagnosed with dementia, manic depression or schizophrenia and the remaining 50 percent would consist of "serious" cases.
Doctor Alan Lilywhite, consultant forensic psychiatrist, said some patients staying at the unit may have committed serious offences'.
"Some of them may be rapists, murderers, sex offenders or arsonists but they would have been in the system for many years and have undergone vigorous tests, care and treatment and will not be moved into Beechwood unless they posed no risk," he said.
Villagers claimed that Goytre would be used as a guinea pig' to see if patients can cope with living in an open psychiatric hospital.
They also expressed concern that the hospital is only yards from Goytre Primary, a nursery and day centre.
"A concerned mother threatened to take her children out of the school if the company does not fund the installation of security measures around the school."
Barrie Crosbie, executive director the Llanarth Court, said no convicted child sex offenders would stay there.
Goytre resident, Sarah Tom, said: "We are all worried about what sort of people will be housed in our small village.
"They say they will make sure they have all been through the system and comply with procedures but what happens if any one of them absconds?"
Dr Lilywhite said patients will learn how to cook and look after themselves and will only have leave from the hospital if escorted by staff.
"They will not go into Goytre, only the larger towns like Abergavenny and Cwmbran."
Patients can walk about the hospital grounds, unsupervised, from 9am to 6pm, after which they will be locked in the building. Those with a history of absconding or non-compliance will not be housed at the hospital, nor will those with profound learning disabilities or who pose any risk to the public.
After branding the presentation as "abysmal" residents agreed to set up an action group.
11:16am Thursday 15th June 2006 FREE PRESS
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