Notes of the Public Meeting Held 8th June 2006

Facts contained within presentations by Partnerships in Care
Public Meeting Held Goytre Village Hall 8/6/06

Present: Dr Alan Lilywhite, M Paul Hendy, Mr Steven Walder, Barrie Crosbie

Facility will have 16-17 beds
Front door will be open between 9am and 6pm – locked at night
There will be unescorted access to the grounds
Supervised and unescorted leave to Cwmbran and Abergavenny

Access will not be given to Goytre because of the danger to patients with regard to the main road.

Patients will be aged 18yrs-65 years and will be males with mental disorder up to 50% could be civil and 50% criminal

The following type of patients WILL Not be housed at Beechwood House:
Those with a history of absconding
Those with profound learning difficulties
The acutely ill
Anyone representing a risk to the community.

Patients are likely to be at Beechwood House for periods of between 1 and 3 years as it can take up to 18 months to find suitable accommodation back in the community should they be due for release.

Beechwood House could not be considered suitable for any higher classification i.e. Medium secure

Typical staff days would include:
2 Registered Nurses
3 Care Workers
1 Clinical Nursing Manager and a charge nurse – other professionals would be at the unit as and when..

Patients could be accepted into the new facility as early as August.

Cllr Bryan Hood gave an account of his experiences with regard to Llanarth Court.
It’s been in situ for 14 years
Typically 4-6 absconding per annum
Resulted in 2 vehicles being stolen but returned in tact
Most absconders return on their own
Police are notified and mount immediate searches

Partnerships in Care confirmed that in the event of an absconder at Llanarth Court they notify the Police the chair of the liaison group and the deputy chair. He suggested it may be appropriate in Goytre to inform the Headmaster of the school.

When asked if a multi agency public protection meeting (MAPPA) would be called following an absconder incident Partnerships in Care advised they were under no obligation to do this but it would be their practise to recall that patient to Llanarth court.

Barrie Crosbie advised that until referrals are made they are unaware of the classification of patient be it section 3, 37 or 37 41. These could include murderers but more likely homicides, manslaughter as Mental Health patients generally kill family members.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales are responsible for issuing operating licenses to Llanarth Court/Beechwood House.

Questions

1 Has Partnerships in care advised Monmouthshire CC of their intentions. No but Cllr Brian Jones was aware and because of his concerns and those of residents arranged the Public meeting.

2 Has Partnerships in care a duty to inform the Home Office of the changes they wish to make to current use? No they have no obligations in this respect.


Barrie Crosbie agreed to answer all questions in writing back to Cllr Brian Jones unlikely to respond next week though as he’s away working.

Following the meeting an Action Committee was proposed and set up.