news story

4th November 2008

Urgent Action Over Hayes Hospital Report

The National Autistic Society today published the results of an independent investigation into the abscond of Darren Harker from the Hayes Hospital at Pilning in February 2008. Following his recapture, Darren Harker was tried and convicted of raping a teenage girl whilst on the run.

Local MP Steve Webb, who has visited the Hayes Hospital and has this week been briefed by the Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society about the report said:

"This report presents a worrying picture of events at the Hayes Hospital. Whilst the National Autistic Society are clearly highly-skilled in looking after people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, they seem not to have had the skills needed for people with serious criminal records and complex personality problems. More and more such people have been sent to the Hayes Hospital in recent years but the skills and expertise needed to respond appropriately do not seem to have been present.

"I welcome the fact that over the course of this year three residents at the Hayes Hospital have been moved to other more suitable units, and I also welcome the improved security measures that are being taken. There does however need to be a root and branch review of who is sent to low security units such as the Hayes, and it is vital that lessons are learned from this very serious lapse".