Case Review

I have read through Mr Turner’s case notes and talked to staff and ‘key workers’

We have reached a compromise: Mr Turner will be allowed limited access to the Internet, under strict supervision. And before anyone starts fulminating about ‘Freedom of Speech’, and citing ‘Civil Liberties’ let me make a couple of points:

Mr Turner is resident here under the provisions of the Mental Health Act. He is being detained because it is felt that he may be a danger to himself or to others. And here he will remain until I (and my colleagues) consider that such danger no longer exists.

A patient’s records are, of course, strictly confidential. And I am not prepared to comment on Mr Turner’s ‘blog’ entry where he raises the possibility of a diagnosis of ‘Borderline Personality. It is the duty of myself and my staff to decide on an appropriate treatment programme for each patient. In the case of Mr Turner we are agreed that untrammelled Internet access would seriously impede his treatment. On the other hand, some free expression could be beneficial. Hence the compromise.

I suggest that anyone who would like to know more about ‘Borderline Personality Disorder’ refers to the DSM. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual contains definitions of psychiatric disorders. These definitions – which are criteria based – are the results of consensus building from hundreds of psychiatrists of many different perspectives and belief systems from all over the world. Definitions are regularly being revised as research and other information becomes available.

Frederick Foggatty, Clinical Director