CIVIC leaders are to meet managers at Kemple View psychiatric hospital in a bid to avoid a repeat of an incident where a patient escaped.

Albert Oszmianski, 39, turned himself in at the secure unit on Longsight Road, Langho, yesterday after a week on the run. He escaped on September 13 after walking unsupervised in the hospital grounds.

Ribble Valley council leader Chris Holtom and chief executive David Morris will meet managers at the unit within the next seven days to discuss the incident and what measures are being planned to improve security.

Coun Holtom said: "We will be discussing security and what future plans they have. I can promise nearby residents that we will do everything in our power to avoid a repeat but we have always been strongly involved in what happens at the home."

Chief officer with Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Community Health Council Nigel Robinson said its mental health sub-committee would discuss the incident on Monday.

He said: "We will be contacting them asking for assurances that a full security review is carried out. Incidents like this do happen from time to time but we need to reassure the public."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said he had written to the Home Office to ask for assurances that Kemple View was acting in accordance with its licence. He said: "It is good news Mr Oszmianski returned but we cannot afford to be complacent about this."

A spokeswoman for Kemple View said their strict policy of confidentiality prevented them from discussing individual patients. But when those who have absconded return, they are fully assessed and not allowed outside unsupervised until professionals are confident they do not pose a risk.

Security at the hospital is being reviewed with care homes watchdog the National Care Standards Commission. Managers were already looking at putting in CCTV to cover perimeter exits before Mr Oszmianski absconded.

Detectives visited Kemple View yesterday afternoon to interview Mr Oszmianski to establish his whereabouts during the last week. The 39-year-old was convicted for wounding with intent in July 2001 at Preston Crown Court for stabbing a man in the stomach with a kitchen knife. He was sentenced to be detained indefinitely at a secure unit.