Freedom to Care                                                                                                                                                     Return to INDEX

High Security Hospital whistleblower

In March 2003, Julia Wassell, former director of women’s services at Broadmoor, the high security hospital (UK), claimed she had been victimised by her employer after raising concerns about ‘institutionalised sexual abuse’ at the hospital.  The hospital has had a long history of whistlblowing situations.

The chief executive of the employing organisation denied that she had been dismissed because of their concerns, and that in any case the concerns were exaggerated.

In Sept 2001 Ms Wassell presented the results of a survey which showed 56 complaints of sexual abuse and five rapes.

An independent review followed in March 2002 and this concluded that the venues for mixed-gender activities in the hospital did not provide a safe environment and said that the employer was not “sufficiently positioned, committed and able” to ensure the safety of women patients.

See Health Service Journal 13 March 2003 pp. 8-9.

March 2003