PATIENTS treated for post-natal depression and psychiatric problems at Burnley General Hospital were given the hallucinatory drug LSD, it has been claimed today.

The hospital is one of 30 across the country facing legal action for the alleged administration of the hallucinatory drug.

It is claimed the unlicensed drug was given to patients suffering from psychiatric symptoms ranging from post-natal depression to psychosis during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.

More than 200 former patients nationwide are being represented by leading medical negligence solicitors, Alexander Harris, of Altrincham. It is claimed they have experienced severe flashbacks where they vividly relive their first "trip''.

In the most severe cases, victims are still experiencing between one and five flashbacks each week, it has been alleged.

Even in the less severe cases, where patients are no longer suffering from the effects of the drug, many have had to endure up to ten years of flashbacks, it is claimed. Alexander Harris's founding partner, Ann Alexander, said: "We are contacting the defendants that we have so far identified and are working closely with them to ensure that the correct legal procedures are followed.

"We anticipate issuing proceedings in the very near future.''

She said a number of issues had emerged in relation to the administration of the drug.

Patients were not aware that the tasteless and odourless medication' they were given was LSD, she claimed.

They were, she said, not made aware of the drug's side effects and, in some cases, patients were allegedly given the drug when it was not the appropriate form of treatment in any event.

Anyone wanting help and advice on the issue can ring the Alexander Harris freephone helpline on 0500-774477.

Burnley Health Care NHS Trust have said they are unable to comment.

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