Dudley’s Bushey Fields Hospital are smuggling drink and drugs onto wards

Patients at Dudley’s Bushey Fields Hospital are smuggling drink and drugs onto wards, prompting police searches of the site, it has been revealed.Doctors have warned there is a “rising” number of patients at the mental health hospital sneaking in alcohol and drugs. They say it is making it increasingly difficult for staff to do their jobs and will present a report about the situation to Dudley Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) board at a meeting next week.In the report medical director at Dudley PCT, Dr William Conlon, a consultant at Bushey Fields, and acute services manager in charge of Bushey Fields, Mrs Wendy Pugh, say the problem is worsening.Dr Conlon describes the problem of drinks and drugs within Bushey Fields as “rising” and says it could have “a negative effect on people with mental health problems.”The report admits police have conducted searches.Dudley PCT spokesman, Laura Broster, said: “While we recognise the important nature of this issue we are committed to dealing with it in a sensitive but firm way.”Dudley PCT will hold its board meeting at St John’s House in Dudley on Thursday March 6