Psychiatric Bulletin (2000) 24: 197. doi: 10.1192/pb.24.5.197-c
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2000) 24: 197
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
College comments on the Fallon Inquiry
John L. Cox, President
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG
Sir: I refer to Dr Veasey's letter (Psychiatric Bulletin, November
1999, 13, 690) asking who at the College was responsible for the
College's comments on the Fallon Inquiry Report on Ashworth Hospital. I
thought it appropriate to reply to Dr Veasey. I am now well briefed and
informed about the controversy which gave him particular concern.
In this regard my information is that the College's response to the report
on the Committee of Inquiry into the Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth
Special Hospital (chaired by Judge Fallon) was first drafted by my predecessor
Dr Robert Kendell and then finalised, following extensive discussion at the
Executive and Finance Committee and then subsequently at Council on the 3
February 1999. I am sure that the intent was not to act in an unjust and
unfair way against any individual psychiatrist. Let us hope, however, that
structures are now in place which will make this fraught situation less likely
to occur in the future.