Call for security measures at Thornford Park to be reviewed

That’s the view of Mike Bloomfield, chair of the Thornford Park Liaison Group set up to provide a link between the hospital and the local community.
His comments come less than a fortnight after a patient absconded from the hospital, which looks after low- to medium-risk psychiatric males over the age of 18.
It is the latest breach in security at the secure unit in which three patients absconded between 1997 and 1999 when a smaller fence surrounded the perimeter.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, Mr Bloomfield said: “I think there is a serious case to be made for sirens, or alarms, to be put in the grounds of the hospital. At Broadmoor they have 13 sirens stretching as far as 7.1 miles from the site.
“The two hospitals (Broadmoor and Thornford) are very different, but Broadmoor’s last absconsion was in 1995 and Thornford’s was two weeks ago.
“We need a system in place where local residents are immediately informed in the event of someone absconding. Finding out four or five hours later, like we did, is not good enough.”
Mr Bloomfield also called on the hospital to provide reassurances that it was reviewing its security, saying that a meeting between the hospital, police and the liaison group on July 9 left many of his questions unanswered.
He added: “I, and local residents, want to be reassured that the hospital is reviewing security and its protocols to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
“The meeting we had didn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know. We have another meeting with the hospital on July 30 and want some answers.”
The hospital has launched a formal investigation into how a patient absconded, and promised to review its internal procedures and protocols.
A spokesperson for Thornford Park Hospital, Helen Logan, said: “While we are unable to discuss individual cases this was the first time an incident of this kind has happened.
“Patients in a medium secure setting undergo comprehensive risk assessments, involving members of the multidisciplinary team involved in their care and treatment, prior to any periods of leave in the grounds, or outside of the building, however short.
“We will be working with multi-agency colleagues to examine the circumstances surrounding this matter as well as reviewing internal procedures and protocols.”
Last month, West Berkshire Council approved controversial plans for the hospital to build a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for high-risk patients despite objections from local residents and town councillors concerned about how much security a 3.2 metre fence would provide.
Thornford Park is currently surrounded by a 5.2 metre fence.
l A 43-year-old man has been remanded in custody for a further hearing at a later date, having been charged with allegedly escaping lawful custody.