AN MP today stepped up his calls for a security review at Calderstones Hospital and demanded the background of a missing patient is made public -- almost five weeks after he disappeared.

The Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans called for the search for missing patient Andrew Sutcliffe, who gave a member of staff the slip while on an accompanied home visit to Manchester, to be stepped up .

Keith Bradley, the MP for Manchester and Withington, today stepped into the argument offering to talk to the parents of 18-year-old Andrew.

Greater Manchester Police are searching for Andrew on behalf of Lancashire Police as he went missing in their area. Andrew slipped out of the back door of his mum's house in the Burnage area, after telling the female member of staff with him he needed the toilet.

But spot checks with his friends and family have so far revealed nothing. And despite repeated requests by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to issue a full description or a photograph of the missing patient, none has been released.

The only description Greater Manchester Police gave was the fact he was wearing a white T-shirt, blue tracksuit bottoms and a white baseball cap at the time of his disappearance on Wednesday July 11.

Calls to the Calderstones NHS Trust chief executive Russ Pearce, result in the Evening Telegraph being told there is "no change" in the situation.

Although the hospital confirmed Andrew Sutcliffe was admitted via the courts and was a resident at the more secure West Drive unit, bosses refuse to reveal what he was admitted for, citing patient confidentiality.

At the time of the disappearance, Calderstones NHS Trust chief executive Russ Pearce said: "I cannot say more than has already been said which is that he's not a danger to the public but we are concerned about the risk to himself."

Nigel Evans, who has led calls for a security review at the hospital, said information about him should be made available and called on police to step up the search. He said: "It is very worrying he has been missing this long and very worrying for the people of Manchester. We need to reassure them that there is no danger whatsoever and if there is no risk then the police and Calderstones should say exactly what he did to be admitted in the first place.

"There seems to be no urgency by anybody. Why are they finding it so difficult? Calderstones have told me that the only risk of this patient is to himself, which should be sufficient enough for the police to turn up the heat on the search for his own safety.

"I hope some progress will be made and when I meet with Mr Pearce on Wednesday I will be discussing this."

Keith Bradley, MP for Manchester and Withington, said: "Should Mrs Sutcliffe ask for my assistance with this matter I would be happy to investigate."

The NHS Executive for the North West said the disappearance was among the longest it was aware of but said it would still not be launching an inquiry into the matter and today the Home Office said it would not step in and reveal a criminal record.

A spokesman said: "We would not give any information about individual patients. If there is a safety concern the police can make a judgment about the best course of action. If they feel there is a risk to the public they could release details. But it very much depends on how the police view the situation after discussions with the hospital concerned."

Calderstones NHS Trust chief executive Mr Pearce said Mr Sutcliffe's absence was the longest he had known.

He said: "When people have been missing in the past it has only been for a matter of hours. This one is much longer. Staff are in contact with his parents and we are leaving it to the police."

Community Health Council boss Nigel Robinson said he was concerned about the disappearance and would be speaking to Russ Pearce about the situation during a meeting this week.

He added: "I am more concerned about this man's own safety than the threat he poses to the public.

"I believe Calderstones have done everything they can and it is now down to the police."

Inspector Bob Ford, at Clitheroe Police, said: "Inquiries are still ongoing with Greater Manchester Police."

When asked why a full description had not been issued, a spokesman for GMP would only say: "We are liaising with police in Clitheroe about descriptions."