Patients sue over LSD treatment

Up to 30 hospitals face legal action from patients who were given LSD to
treat a variety of mental disorders and depression.

Lawyers acting for 200 former patients, who have suffered recurring
"flashbacks" as a result of being given the drug, will shortly issue writs
against a number of hospitals.

The legal action, which is likely to seek damages and compensation running
into tens of thousands of pounds, will expose the use of LSD to treat
patients for more than 20 years from the 1950s.

Those given the drug in doses above the amount taken in recreational use
ranged from people with mental illness to alcoholics and those suffering
from postnatal depression. They were not told they were being given LSD
and nor were they informed of its likely side effects.

These include flashbacks where people relive their first "trip", sometimes
as often as five times a week. One person has claimed the drug brought on
epilepsy.

Solicitors Alexander Harris, who are representing the legallyaided
patients, are planning to bring a number of test cases against selected
hospitals and health authorities. Senior partner Ann Alexander said that
despite the difficulty of individual cases dating back 30 years, they were
confident the case would go ahead.

"We anticipate issuing proceedings in the very near future," she said.

The cases became known after patients at Powick Mental Hospital, then part
of West Midlands Health Authority, complained to their MP, Ken Purchase. It
then emerged that the problem was nation wide. Powick hospital has since
closed.

A spokesman for the Labour MP said: "Ken is pleased we've got this far
and will be even more pleased if the actions are successful."

Michael Streeter, Legal Affairs Correspondent