Searching of Patients at Broadmoor Hospital - West London Mental ...

Policy S16Broadmoor Hospital – Searching of Patients, TheirRooms, Lockers & Personal Effects andHospital/Ward SearchesVersion: S16/03 Dec 08Ratified by:SMT BroadmoorDate ratified: 16 th Oct 08Title of originator/author:Director of SecurityTitle of responsible DirectorDirector of Security & ExecutiveDirector of High Secure Services &NursingDate issued: 19 th Dec 08Review date: April 2009Target audience:All staff at Broadmoor HospitalWest London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________1PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

POLICY TITLEBroadmoor Hospital – Searching of Patients,Their Rooms, Lockers & Personal Effectsand Hospital/Ward SearchesPOLICY REFERENCENUMBERS16DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION 19 th December 2008DEVELOPED / REVIEWEDBYDirector of Security / Executive Director ofHigh Secure Services & NursingDUE FOR NEXT REVIEW April 2009RESPONSIBLE DIRECTORExecutive Director of High Secure Services& NursingDISCLOSURE STATUS(B) Can be disclosed to patients and thepublicEquality & Diversity statementThe Trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet thediverse needs of its services, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at adisadvantage over others.The development/review of this policy has undergone an Equality Impact Assessment[EIA], as per the guidance in the Trust Policy Development Monitoring & Review [P3].West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________2PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

S16Broadmoor Hospital – Searching of Patients, Their Rooms, Lockers& Personal Effects and Hospital/Ward SearchesVersion Control SheetVersion Date Title of Author Status CommentS16/01 July2003Director of ForensicServices and theDirector of SecurityNew Policy issuedS16/02 05.11.08 Director of Security Amendmentsmade to policyreview dateS16/03 19.12.08 Director of Security Revised Policydisseminated tostaffBroadmoor SMTMeeting extendedreview date on 16Oct 2008 (seeminutes)West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________3PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

S16Broadmoor Hospital – Searching of Patients, Their Rooms, Lockers& Personal Effects and Hospital/Ward SearchesContents1. Introduction2 Aims3 The Authority and Right to Search4 Respect for Patients’ Privacy and Dignity5 Patients Consent/Refusal to Cooperate6 Escorting of Patients – Items Allowed to be Carried7 Individual Patient Searches8 Frequency of Personal Searches – (Level 1)9 Level 1 Search Procedure10 Level 2 Search Procedure11 Level 3 Search12 Ward/Departmental Searches13 Bedroom and Locker Search Procedure14 Specific Bedroom and Locker Search15 Hospital Searches16 Dealing with Items Found17 Search RecordsAppendicesAPPENDIX 1Level 1 Search Procedure – Male PatientsAPPENDIX 2Level 1 Search Procedure – Female PatientsWest London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________4PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

1 Introduction1.1 Broadmoor Hospital provides treatment and care for patients with a mental disorderunder conditions of high security on account of their dangerous, violent or criminalpropensities.1.2 We have a statutory duty to provide a therapeutic and safe living and workingenvironment for patients and staff and to protect the public. To achieve and maintaina safe therapeutic environment it is essential that all staff employed at BroadmoorHospital are responsible for security. Searching practices, including random androutine searching are an essential element of security, and are necessary. (Thisincludes not only protecting others from the consequences of a patient's activity butalso protecting themselves from their own actions (e.g. self harm, drugs, pornographyand fraud).1.3 Searching, including random and routine searching, shall include inspection of writtenmaterial (including letters or other communications stored on disk) to ensure its bonafides and that such does not contain inappropriate material (contrary to health and/orsafety/security). If such material contains privileged communications under Section134(3) of the Mental Health Act (e.g. Communication with Solicitors, Mental HealthAct Commission) inspection shall be the minimum necessary to ensure the identityand address of the sender or recipient is genuine (and not for any other purpose sothat the confidentiality of privileged communication is maintained).West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________5PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

2. Aims2.1 To inform all staff of the criteria and authority required to conduct a search.2.2 To inform all staff of the protocol and procedure for searching patients, their rooms,lockers and personal effects.3. The Authority and Right to Search3.1 The legality of this policy was confirmed in a Judgement delivered by the Court ofAppeal on 5 February 1998, and provisions to search are contained in the 'Safety andSecurity in Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton Hospitals Directions 2000', whichcame into force on the 30 th November 2000.3.2 Although the legality of random, as well as routine searching (without reasonablecause) has been upheld, it is essential that staff act appropriately and in good faith.4. Respect for Patients' Privacy and Dignity4.1 Searching is an intrusive measure which may be viewed with resentment by somepatients. Staff must always act in a professional manner showing concern andrespect for the patients, their feelings, dignity and property.5. Patients Consent/Refusal to Cooperate5.1 Before commencing a personal search of a patient and/or his/ her personalpossessions every effort must be made to obtain the consent and cooperation of thepatient.5.2 If a patient refuses to cooperate with a search he or she must be kept underobservation, isolated from other patients and told what is happening and why in termsappropriate to his/her understanding and the nurse in charge of the patient's wardinformed. The nurse in charge of the ward must discuss the management of thesituation with his Line Manager and the patient's Consultant Psychiatrist (CP).5.3 If the CP advises that subjecting the patient to search would have adverseconsequences for the mental health of the patient, the nurse in charge of the wardmust refer the matter to the Associate Medical Director, who will decide, after takinginto account the advice of the CP and the interests of security and safety of theindividual and the hospital, whether the search should proceed. Any delay whicharises must be kept to a minimum.5.4 Before proceeding with a search to which a patient has refused cooperation but thenecessary authorisation to carry out the search has been obtained, a further attemptto obtain consent must be made, and the patient must be told that in the absence ofconsent a search will be undertaken, if necessary by using the minimum forcenecessary to conduct the search.5.5 If a search without consent proceeds it must be carried out with due regard to thepatients dignity and privacy.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________6PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

6. Escorting of Patients – Items Allowed to be Carried6.1 Bags/Containers are only to be carried by patients if this is essential to the activitythey are attending. All such Bags/Containers must be opened in the presence of thepatient and the contents searched on leaving and entering the ward.6.2 Only low-risk, legitimate items (defined as those necessary for the planned activity)may be allowed to be in the possession of a patient involved in any movement.6.3.1 Escorting staff must not carry any item(s) which would limit their response to anysecurity/operational need and/or would compromise their personal safety.7. Individual Patient Searches7.1 There are three levels of personal searches:7.1.1 Level 1 Search –This is a rub down search which may be carried out at random andwithout reasonable suspicion. It is non-intrusive but does include inspection ofpockets on clothing and the removal of any outer garment being worn such as ajacket/coat and the removal of any headgear. Whenever the patient’s room issearched or where there is concern/suspicion that the patient may be secreting itemson their person, the Level 1 search will include the removal of the patient’s footwear.7.1.2 Level 2 Search –This is a search where clothing (in addition to a jacket/coat asdescribed above) is removed. A Level 2 search should be carried out:a. If there are reasonable grounds for suspicion that a patient may have, on his/herperson, any item which could pose a threat to health and/or safety/security.b. On admission to the hospital or readmission following trial leavec. Prior to an emergency leave of absence (not under blue light and wherepracticable to do so) where-• the patient is assessed as High Risk in accordance with the Safety and SecurityDirections in respect of: escape, immediately harming others, subverting safetyand security or organising action in collaboration with others to subvert securityand safety.• there are concerns that a patient may be feigning illness or have some ulteriormotive for wishing to be outside the secure perimeter (e.g. to provide anopportunity from which to abscond).• there are reasonable grounds for suspicion that a patient may have on theirperson any item which could pose a threat to health and/or safety and security(e.g. the metal detector activates and the reason for the activation cannot beestablished by other means).7.1.3 Level 3 Search –This is an intimate body search. Such searches will be rare. Theremust be reasonable grounds for suspicion that a patient may have, on his/ her personan item which could pose a threat to health and/or safety/security. It can only beconducted by a doctor after consultation with the Associate Medical Director (orClinical Director) and the On-Call Senior Manager. The authorisation for a Level 3search rests with the Associate Medical Director (or Clinical Director).West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________7PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

8. Frequency of Personal Searches - (Level 1)8.1 Random searches can be carried out at anytime and as often as consideredappropriate with regard to levels of risk presented, the location, the known andperceived security risks of the client group or individual patient.8.2 The following are minimum requirements. They can and must be increased wherethere is thought to be an increased security/health/safety risk.8.3 Level 1 searches – minimum requirements:a. GeneralAll patients must have a Level 1 search on a random basis at least once a week.b. Ward AreasA Level 1 search must be carried out, at random, on a minimum of 20% of all patientsentering and leaving a ward on a daily basis at irregular intervals.On every occasion a patient’s room or personal locker is subject to a search, thepatient must also be subject to a Level 1 search.c. Vocational Service/Occupational Therapy/Sports & LeisureA Level 1 search must be carried out on a minimum of 20% of the total number of patientsleaving an area.Any patient needing to leave an area before the end of a session must be subject to a Level1 search before leaving the area. The search must include the use of a hand held metaldetector.d. Patients Shop/Main KitchenA Level 1 search must be carried out on all patients working in the area on arrival and uponleaving the area. The search must include the use of a hand held metal detector.e. VisitsA Level 1 search of patients must be carried out immediately before and immediately afterreceiving any visit except where the patient receives a visitor authorised to hold hospitalSecurity Keys (e.g. Mental Health Act Commissioners, Representatives of Women in SpecialHospitals (WISH)). The search must include the use of a hand held metal detector.In the case of a visit to be held in an off–ward area (e.g. the Visits Centre), the searches areto be completed immediately on arrival and immediately before leaving the visiting area atthe conclusion of a visit rather than on leaving and returning to the ward.f. Leave of Absence (LOA)West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________8PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

Planned AbsenceOn the day preceding the LOA, staff must ensure that the clothing the patient is to wearduring the LOA is hand searched and checked using a hand held metal detector and placedin a sterile area (one which patients do not have access to and there is controlled staffaccess).On the day of the LOA, having collected the clothes the patient is to wear from the sterilearea the Nurse in Charge of the Ward (or another member of nursing staff, if the Nurse inCharge is of the opposite gender to the patient) and the Person in Charge of the escort (oranother escorting team member of the appropriate gender) will accompany the patient to aprivate sterile area (i.e. not their bedroom) to observe the patient getting dressed.Having searched and satisfied themselves that the patient has nothing secreted in theirunderwear or in the clothing that is to be worn by the patient, the staff will allow the patient todress whilst keeping the patient under constant observation.Following completion of the search procedure, the patient must be kept under constantobservation (i.e. within line sight and within arms length) by the escorting staff.All patients being escorted on a planned leave of absence must be taken to the designatedsearch area immediately prior to departure from the hospital and immediately on their returnand have a Level 1 search carried out by Reception staff. The search procedure will includethe x-ray and/or physical search of any items being carried by the patient. The Level 1search must include the use of a hand held metal detector (see also Hospital Policy L2‘Leave of Absence’ in relation to additional search requirements).Emergency AbsenceAs far as possible, the procedures described above for a planned leave of absence must befollowed for an emergency absence i.e. the clothes the patient is to wear must be handsearched and checked using a hand held metal detector. The patient must also be observedgetting dressed in a private sterile area and kept under constant observation. Wherepracticable, consideration should be given to carrying out a Level 2 search of the patientgiven that minor injury may have been inflicted or illness faked in order to create and‘emergency’ leave of absence from which the patient would seek to abscond (see paragraph7.1.2(c) above). All patients being escorted on an emergency leave of absence must, ifpracticable, be taken to the designated search area immediately prior to departure andimmediately on their return and have a Level 1 search carried out by Reception Staff.Alternatively, at the discretion of Nursing Administration, the search may be carried outimmediately prior to leaving/returning to the ward by Reception/Security Support Staff asappropriate. In a medical emergency (i.e. under blue light) the search of the patient may bewaived by Nursing Administration. If the patient refuses to cooperate with the searchprocess, consideration must be given, if the patient’s medical condition permits, to applyingtwo sets of handcuffs during the LOA (see Hospital Policy H5 on the ‘Use of Handcuffs’).gAdmission or Readmission to the HospitalOn admission to the hospital or readmission following a period of trial leave all patients onarrival at the hospital must be taken immediately to the designated search area and have aLevel 1 search carried out by Reception staff.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________9PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

Patients’ property must not be taken to the ward until it has been x-rayed in Reception andphysically searched by the Dedicated Search Team. This search will be conducted at theearliest opportunity and not later than 48 hours following the patient’s (re)admission. On thedate of admission if it is not possible to complete a full search of the property the nurse incharge of the ward may identify essential possessions required for use by the patient. Theseitems must be x-rayed in Reception and physically searched before being taken to the ward.On arrival on the ward, a Level 2 search of the patient must be carried out.9. Level 1 Search Procedures9.1 The management of Level 1 searches is the responsibility of the person in charge ofthe ward/area at the time the procedure is being undertaken.9.2 Level 1 searches must be carried out by a member of staff of the same genderas the patient and in sight of a second member of staff.9.3 All Level 1 searches must be recorded in duplicate on Form A446. The top copy ofthe form is to be forwarded to the Security Directorate, the second copy is to beretained in the Ward/Department Security Folder.9.4 The level 1 search procedure for male and female patients is described atappendices 1 and 2 respectively.9.5 If suspicion remains or there are any doubts during or after the Level 1 search, theperson in charge of ward/area must be informed. In these circumstances the patientmust not be left unobserved.10. Level 2 Search Procedures10.1 The Level 2 search procedure should be conducted in the circumstances described inparagraph 7.1.2 above. Consent must be requested. A Level 1 search of thepatient must have been completed before proceeding to the Level 2 procedure.10.2 Level 2 searches must only be undertaken in the patient’s ward area and by nursingstaff rostered on the patient's ward.10.3 The approval of the Service Manager or the On-Call Senior Manager is requiredbefore a Level 2 search takes place. If practicable, the Service Manager or On-CallSenior Manager should be present to supervise the search.10.4 In the absence of the Service Manager or the On-Call Senior Manager the ClinicalNurse Manager or the Nurse in Charge of the ward must supervise the search.10.5 Prior to the search, or as soon after as is practicable, the Service Manager or On-CallSenior Manager will advise the patient's CP, or in his or her absence the On Call CP,of the decision to carry out a Level 2 search.10.6 A record of the search must be made in the Patient's Nursing Notes, in the 24-hourreport. A Form A445 'Search Record' must also be completed.10.7 It is important that the 'Reason for Search' section on the Form A445 and on theother documents is accurately recorded.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________10PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

10.8 Procedure:a. After the Level 1 search is completed the patient is to be informed that a Level2 search is required and the reasons for conducting the search will beexplained to the patient. The patient will first be asked to voluntarily surrenderany risk items.b. The patient will be escorted to an area, which must ensure privacy throughoutthe procedure. The room will be prepared with adequate heating. A dressinggown must be available. If the room is not carpeted, a mat or a towel must beprovided for the patient to stand on.c. Two nursing staff of the same gender as the patient must be present duringthe procedure, at least one staff member must be a qualified nurse. Both staffshould wear disposable gloves.d. All clothing above the waist will be removed first. Following a visual check ofthe upper body, including the mouth, ears, hair and underarms, the patient willbe offered the dressing gown whilst the upper clothing is hand searched andchecked with a hand held metal detector.e. All clothing below the waist will then be removed and hand searched andchecked with a hand held metal detector. The patient will be asked to raisethe dressing gown so that a visual check of the lower body can be carried out.The lower body must also be checked using a hand held metal detector.f. The patient will redress.g. If there are a number of patients to be searched (e.g. following the loss of adangerous item) the patients will be kept under close observation in a room,which must be searched prior to the commencement of the Level 2 searches.11. Level 3 Searches (see paragraph 7.I.3 above).11.1 The grounds for this procedure is as per Level 2 search procedure and will onlybe conducted after a Level 2 search has been carried out.11.2 A Level 3 search can only be conducted by a doctor after consultation with theAssociate Medical Director (or in his absence a Clinical Director) and the On-Call Senior Manager. The authorisation for a Level 3 search rests with theAssociate Medical Director (or in his absence a Clinical Director).11.3 A record of the search must be made in the Patient's Nursing Observation Notes andin the 24-hour report. A Form A445 'Search Record' must be completed.11.4 It is important that the 'Reason for Search' section on the Form A445 and on theother documents is accurately recorded.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________11PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

12. Ward/Departmental Searches12.1 There are two types of ward/departmental searches:a. Random searches – Searches will be carried out of patients bedrooms,lockers and ward communal areas on a random basis (i.e. they must not bepredictable) at a minimum frequency detailed below.b. Specific searches – This type of search will be carried out in response toinformation received or following an incident where there are reasonablegrounds for suspicion that a patient is in possession of an item(s) that poses athreat to health/safety/security.Each ward is issued with a search kit, which includes a hand held metal detector, torches,extendable mirror and guidance on searching a patient’s room. The kits must be used toassist in the searching of patients rooms and other ward areas. The kits must be includedwithin ward daily security checks. The Dedicated Search Team will be responsible forcarrying out a quarterly audit of all ward search kits.12.2 Frequency of Random Ward/Department SearchesRandom searches can be carried out anytime and as often as considered appropriate withregard to the levels of risk presented, the location, the known and perceived security risksand the client group. The following are minimum requirements. They can and must beincreased where there is considered to be an increased risk or threat tohealth/security/safety. It is essential not to develop predictable searching patterns but at thesame time care must be taken not to cause unnecessary disruption. The Dedicated SearchTeam are to be called to assist with searches where there are specific concerns that patient’smay be hoarding or secreting risk items or if risk items cannot be accounted for.12.3 Random Ward/Department Searches – Minimum Requirementa. Bedrooms/LockersEvery patient must have their room searched at least once every month. Thisis to be carried out on a random basis at the discretion of the nurse in chargeof the ward. On every occasion a patient's room is subject to a search, asearch must also be carried out of any locker the patient has locatedoutside their room. The search kit on each ward contains guidance onthe search procedures for a patient’s room.In exceptional circumstances where there are concerns that a patient may behoarding or secreting risk items on their person or in their room’s, the ClinicalTeam or the On Call Senior Manager may authorise the random search of apatient’s room at night.In respect of patients lockers a second locker search must be carried out eachmonth.On any occasion a room or locker search is being carried out the patient mustalso be subject to a Level 1 search.b. Ward Communal AreasWest London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________12PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

All communal areas including day rooms, corridors, kitchens, toilets etc, mustbe checked on a daily basis and searched once a week. (Form A445 'SearchRecord' must be completed for each search)c. Department Searches (Occupational Therapy, Workshop, Recreation andLeisure Facilities)All non-ward patient access areas must be searched not less than once everythree months. (Form A445 'Search Record' must be completed for eachsearch).Tool/Risk Item checks must be carried out in Occupational Therapy,Vocational Services, Sports and Leisure and other patient work areas prior tothe commencement of each session before the arrival of patients, duringa session if a patient has to leave and at the end of every session beforethe patients leave the area.13. Bedroom and Locker Search Procedure13.1 Patients must always be invited to be present during a bedroom and locker search(subject to 14.5 below). If the patient declines to be present this must be recorded.13.2 Bedroom and locker searches must always be conducted by a minimum of two staff.Guidance on how to conduct a room search is contained in each ward’s search kit(see also Appendix 3). The room search must include checking video cassette tapesto ensure they have been subject to security screening. Video cassette tape(s) mustbe selected at random and the content checked.13.3 Following the search the bedroom and locker must be left in the same condition asfound before the commencement of the search.13.4 A record of the search must be made in the Patient's Nursing Notes and in the 24-hour report.13.5 Random locker searches must be recorded in duplicate on Form A462. Randombedroom searches must be recorded in duplicate on Form A463. If any items areremoved from a patient’s bedroom or locker then Form A445 Search Recordmust also be completed.13.6 If during the conduct of a search, or at any other time, it is apparent that the quantityor nature of items held by a patient may constitute a risk to health, safety or security,this information must be passed to the Clinical Nurse Manager, Service Manager andthe relevant Security Liaison Nurse.14. Specific Bedroom and Locker Search14.1 A specific bedroom and locker search will normally be conducted following a Level 2personal search of a patient except where the Level 2 search is carried out onadmission or readmission to the hospital or prior to an emergency leave of absence.14.2 The patient must be informed that a search of their room and locker is to be carriedout and the reasons for doing so explained.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________13PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

14.3 The approval of the Clinical Nurse Manager of the Ward (or nominated deputy) inconsultation with their Service Manager or On-Call Senior Manager is required beforea specific bedroom and locker search is carried out.14.4 For the purpose of a specific room search, the search team should, ideally, compriseof staff trained in searching. The Dedicated Search Team are to be called to assistwards with specific room searches where there are concerns that risk items are beinghoarded or secreted.14.5 Bedroom and locker searches will be carried out as at Section 13.1 to 13.5 above.Nursing staff have the right to search without the patient present, if the patient refusesto cooperate or where there are other justifiable reasons for doing so. Where apatient is not present, the facts including the reason for their absence, must berecorded in the Patients Nursing Observation Notes, the 24-hour report and in theWard Security Folder.14.6 Specific bedroom and/or locker searches must be recorded on Form A445 'SearchRecord’15. Hospital Searches15.1 Any non routine searches will be planned in consultation between the ServiceDirector/Service Manager and the Director of Security/Security Operations Manager.15.2 A report on the search will be submitted to the Director of Forensic Services, Directorof Security/Security Operations Manager and the appropriate Service Director,Service Manager, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist.15.3 A member of the Dedicated Search Team or a nurse or other delegated person, whohas attended a Search Training Course, will be appointed as Search Co-ordinator.The Search Co-ordinator must ensure that policies and procedures are strictlyadhered to. The deployment of Search Teams and the completion of relevantdocumentation will also be the responsibility of the Search Co-ordinator.15.4 The Search Team will ideally comprise of staff who have attended a Search TrainingCourse.15.5 Form A445 'Search Record' must be completed for each room/area searched.16. Dealing with Items Found16.1 All finds must be reported to the person in charge of the ward/area. Finds of any itemthat may constitute a breach of security (e.g. weapons, escape materials, drugs,pornographic material) must also be reported to the Director of Forensic Services,Director of Security/Security Operations Manager and the appropriate ServiceDirector, Service Manager, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist.16.2 A written report must be entered in the patients Nursing Observation Notes. Theappropriate search and Incident Report forms must be completed on every occasion.16.3 Any item found which may constitute a security and/or safety risk must be submittedto the Security Directorate. All other items are to be dealt within accordance withnormal hospital procedures. Patients will be informed of the location of any personalitems that are removed.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________14PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

17. Search Records17.1 Search records that do not form part of the patient’s Medical Records must beretained for 3 years following which they should be destroyed with due regard to DataProtection requirements.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________15PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

SEARCH PROCEDUREMALE PATIENTSAppendix 1Stand facing the person and ask for consent to be searched.Ask the person if he is in possession of any item which he is not authorised to have.Ask the person to confirm that his pockets are empty. At the same time, ask him toremove his wristwatch.Search the contents of the person’s pockets and any other items he is carrying and placethem to one side (Use X-Ray if available), and check the wristwatch.If the person is wearing a coat/jacket of any sort, ask him to remove it. Pass this to themember of staff acting as witness to the search for checking. (Use X-ray if available).Ask the person to remove any headwear and pass it to you for searching. A patient mayhave his religious/medical headgear (eg wigs, Sikh turbans, Jewish yarmulkes etc.)searched by a hand held metal detector. It should be removed only if there is an alarmthat cannot be accounted for or if there is suspicion. If there is a need to search thereligious/medical headgear by hand, the patient must be offered privacy for this part ofthe search and no woman should be present. The patient must be given the opportunityto remove the item himself. (Use X-Ray if available).Ask the person to raise his arms level with his shoulders. Fingers must be apart withpalms facing downwards.Begin the search standing in front of the person and commence with the collar. Lift,where appropriate, and feel around it. (Search any scarf or tie, asking the person toremove it if necessary). At the same time check any hair which is hanging over the collar.(Use HHMD if necessary).Check the front of the chest from shoulders to waist, using the flat of the hands andthumbs pointing upwards. (Depending upon the size of the person being searched, morethan one sweep may be required to cover the whole of the chest area.)Check the abdomen just below the waist band using the back of the hand to sweep acrossthe area, in the direction of the fly, from one hip to the other.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________16PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

Standing to one side of the person, check the top of the nearest shoulder and thencontinue down the nearest arm, running the hands along the upper and lower sides.Check the wrist, palm and back of the hand and between the fingers. Remember tocheck the cuffs.Place the outer edge of one hand into the armpit and use the flat of that hand to checkdown the side of the midriff between the armpit and the waist. At the same time,position the other hand at the back of the nearest shoulder and check the near side ofthe back down to the waist. Follow with a repeat of this action to check the centre ofthe back from collar to waist.Check the waist by placing the hands on the front and back of the waistband(positioning just beyond the centre) and, with thumbs inside the waistband wherepossible, feel around the waist, drawing both hands to meet at the person’s side.Check the front and back of the leg from waist to the ankle. Check the outside of theleg from the waist to the ankle and the inside of the leg from the crotch to the ankle.Feel around the ankle and remember to check hems and turn-ups of trousers.Feel around the upper part of the shoe, looking for any indications of inappropriateshape/fitting, or shoes that look as though they may have been tampered with.N.B. Patients will be required to remove shoes as part of the monthly Level 1 searchwhen the room and locker are also searched or during a Level 1 search where there issuspicion that items may have been secreted in footwear.Stand to the other side of the person and repeat each step of the process on this side,except the collar/hair check.Finally, look around the person to see whether anything has been dropped during thesearch. When the person has stepped to one side check to ensure that he was notstanding on anything that he dropped before or during the search.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________17PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

SEARCH PROCEDUREAppendix 2FEMALE PATIENTSStand facing the person and ask for consent to be searched.Ask the person if she is in possession of anything which she is not authorised to.Ask the person if she has anything in her pockets and if so, ask her to empty them. Atthe same time, ask her to remove her wristwatch.Search the contents of the person’s pockets and any other items she is carrying andplace them to one side (Use X-Ray if available), and check the wristwatch.If the person is wearing a coat/jacket of any sort, ask her to remove it. Pass this to themember of staff acting as witness to the search for checking. (Use X-ray if available).Ask the person to remove any headwear and pass it to you for searching. A patient mayhave her religious/medical headgear (eg wigs, veils etc.) searched by a hand held metaldetector. It should be removed only if there is an alarm that cannot be accounted for or ifthere is suspicion. If there is a need to search the patient’s religious/medical headgearby hand, the patient must be offered privacy for this part of the search and no manshould be present. The patient must be given the opportunity to remove the headgearherself. (Use X-Ray if available).Ask the person to raise her arms level with her shoulders. Fingers must be apart withpalms facing downwards.Begin the search standing in front of the person and commence with the collar. Lift,where appropriate, and feel around it. (Search any scarf or tie, asking the person toremove it if necessary). At the same time check any hair that is hanging over the collar.(Use HHMD if necessary).Standing to one side of the person, beginning at the farthest shoulder, search acrossthe front of the upper chest (not touching the breasts at any time), continue over thenearest shoulder and then continue down the nearest arm, running the hands along theupper and lower sides. Check the wrist, palm and back of the hand and between thefingers. Remember to check the cuffs.Check the midriff by running the flat of the hand across the area from the farthest sideto the nearest side. (Depending upon the size of the person being searched, this areamay require more than one sweep).West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________18PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08

Place the outer edge of the same hand into the armpit and use the flat of that hand tocheck down the side of the midriff between the armpit and the waist. At the same time,position the other hand at the back of the nearest shoulder and check the near side ofthe back down to the waist. Follow with a repeat of this action to check the centre of theback from collar to waist.Check the waist by placing the hands on the front and back of the waistband (positioningjust beyond the centre) and, with thumbs inside the waistband where possible, feelaround the waist, drawing both hands to meet at the person’s side.Check the abdomen just below the waist by sweeping the flat of the hand from thefarthest hip to the nearest hip.Check the front and back of the leg from waist to the ankle, or to the hem of skirt. Checkthe outside of the leg from the waist to the ankle or to the hem of the skirt and the insideof the leg from the crotch to the ankle. To search the inside of the leg when a skirt isbeing worn, place the flat of the hand on the front of the upper thigh and sweep the handjust below the natural ‘Y’ of the body line into the inner thigh and down to the hem. Iftrousers are being worn, feel around the ankle and remember to check hems and turnupsof trousers.Feel around the upper part of the shoe, looking for any indications of inappropriateshape/fitting, or shoes that look as though they may have been tampered with.N.B. Patients will be required to remove shoes as part of the monthly Level 1 searchwhen the room and locker are also searched or during a Level 1 search if there issuspicion that items may have been secreted in the patient’s footwear.Stand to the other side of the person and repeat each step of the process on this side,except the collar/hair check.Finally, look around the person to see whether anything has been dropped during thesearch. When the person has stepped to one side check to ensure that she was notstanding on anything that she dropped before or during the search.West London Mental Health NHS Trust_______________________________________________________19PolicyS16 First Date of Issue: July 2003 This is current versionS16/03 Dec 08