Mind responds to further allegations of unsafe inpatient mental health settings

The BBC have reported that whistle-blowers have raised a series of concerns regarding the treatment of mental health patients and the clinical environment at Hill Crest Ward in Redditch, Worcestershire. Allegations included the assault of one patient, staff bullying other members of staff and neglect of patients.

This is the fifth report of a poor care environment within in-patient mental health care settings in less than two months.

Responding to the findings, Sophie Corlett, Interim CEO at Mind, said:

“This is the latest in a series of worrying allegations about the safety of in-patient mental health care settings in England. People with mental health problems at their most unwell need support, not the unsafe environments we’ve heard described repeatedly in the media since the end of September. The alarms bells on inpatient care have been ringing for over a decade – it's time for the UK Government to act.

“The UK Government need to announce a full public inquiry into inpatient mental health services across England, to investigate why these failings have taken place and why they’ve gone uncovered for so long.

“We’re pleased to see this particular Trust says they are introducing changes to address the issues of which they were aware, but this is a wider, systemic issue about culture and safety that no one hospital or Trust can address by themselves. The only way forward is for the UK government to launch an independent public inquiry.”