P, R (on the application of) v Merton, Sutton & Wandsworth Health Authority

Computer-aided Transcript of the Stenograph Notes of Smith Bernal Reporting Limited 190 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2HD Telephone No: 0207-421 4040/0207-404 1400 Fax No: 0207-831 8838 (Official Shorthand Writers to the Court)

MR RICHARD GORDON QC & MR IAN WISE (instructed by Coningsbury Solicitors, 86-89 High Street, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1XE) appeared on behalf of the applicant. MR DAVID HOLGATE QC & MR JAMES MAURICI (instructed by Capsticks, 77-83 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 2TT) 1XE) appeared on behalf of the respondent. ____________________

"... that a programme of work should be put in place that would close Orchard Hill as a long stay hospital and, in conjunction with other stakeholders, provide the required range of community-based replacement services for the 119 long stay residents of the site."

"Around this time life at home was exceptionally difficult. It seemed as though P. was tearing the house apart. There were bite marks on the doorframes and bannister rails. He would regularly chew up the curtains in the house. The curtains in his bedroom had to be changed every six weeks. It was very difficult to settle him at nighttime and he would regularly smash a number of windows in the house. I remember replacing the windows with progressively thicker glass. His behaviour was exceptionally destructive."

"I recall very clearly that Dr Kirman informed my wife that if P. went to Queen Mary's then he would not go to St Ebba's but would have a home for life at Queen Mary's. It seemed to me that he was obviously seeking to allay my wife's fears in view of the St Ebba's experience. He was also very aware of the stress that my wife was under and her blood pressure problems. We had shared with him the immense feelings of guilt we had in placing P. in a long-term placement.