Abusive man banned from UK hospitals

Norman Hutchins, a 53-year-old man from York, has become the first person to be banned from entering or contacting the National Health Service and private hospitals in the UK.

Hutchins was the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by York Magistrates' Court. The court heard that Hutchins' bizarre behaviour had become worse in recent months and that in five months 47 incidents of verbal and physical abuse had been noted.

The most serious incident, when Hutchins was found with a knife, prompted concerned NHS management to seek the court order preventing him from entering hospital premises.

Hutchins, whose address was given as Rowntree Avenue in York, was described as a man with "bizarre behavioural problems". He had a fetish for surgical masks and the court heard that he had been engaged in dishonestly obtaining surgical garments for 15 or 16 years.

The ASBO prohibits Hutchins from: entering or contacting any NHS establishment, primary care trust, or private medical facility in England and Wales; attempting to procure masks, gowns or other surgical garments; and anti-social behaviour likely to harass, alarm or distress.

Jim Gee, Chief Executive of the NHS Security Management Service (SMS), said: "This is a case where there have been 47 incidents since January where the Defendant has caused alarm, harassment and distress to NHS staff. More than 30 NHS organisations have tried to respond locally to this problem by obtaining civil injunctions concerning their own premises, however, the defendant has simply moved on to another part of the NHS. That is why the NHS Security Management Service has coordinated action to obtain the NHS's first-ever national Anti-Social Behaviour Order. In cases like this one, the NHS needs a national response if we are to properly protect staff from violence and abuse."

Bill Darling, Chair of the NHS SMS, said: "It is very sad that this sort of action is necessary, but with the right to free healthcare from the NHS, there also comes responsibilities.

"The vast majority of patients and members of the public want to protect the NHS and its ability to provide patient care. Unfortunately, there is a minority who do not respect the NHS or the dedicated staff who work for it. It's very simple really, we need to protect the NHS so that it can protect the public's health."

Should Hutchins require medical care, it is understood that he will have to apply to a court or seek written permission from NHS managers.

(SP)