Death of Orville Blackwood

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Orville Blackwood

== Death of Orville Blackwood ==

The death of Orville Blackwood occurred on August 28, 1991, at the Broadmoor Hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire, England. Blackwood, a 31-year-old Jamaican-born man, died while being restrained by staff at the high-security psychiatric hospital. His death raised significant concerns about the treatment of Black patients in the mental health system in the United Kingdom.

Background

Orville Blackwood was born in Jamaica and moved to the United Kingdom in his early years. He had a history of mental health issues and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Blackwood had been admitted to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, following a series of incidents that were attributed to his mental health condition.

Incident

On the day of his death, Blackwood was involved in an altercation with hospital staff. During the incident, he was restrained using a technique known as "prone restraint," which involves holding a person face down on the ground. This method of restraint has been controversial due to the risks it poses, including asphyxiation.

Blackwood was administered a high dose of chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic medication, during the restraint. Shortly after, he became unresponsive and was pronounced dead. The official cause of death was listed as "cardiac arrest following restraint and chlorpromazine injection."

Aftermath

The death of Orville Blackwood led to widespread criticism and calls for reform in the treatment of Black patients within the mental health system. An inquest into his death highlighted the disproportionate use of force and medication on Black patients compared to their white counterparts.

The case prompted several inquiries and reports, including the "Big, Black and Dangerous?" report, which examined the treatment of Black patients in high-security psychiatric hospitals. The report found systemic issues of racism and called for significant changes in policy and practice.

Legacy

Orville Blackwood's death remains a significant case in the history of mental health care in the United Kingdom. It has been cited in discussions about the use of restraint, the treatment of Black patients, and the need for cultural competence in mental health services.

Related Pages

• Broadmoor Hospital
• Mental health in the United Kingdom
• Schizophrenia
• Prone restraint
• Chlorpromazine
• Racism in the United Kingdom