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'Astonishing Apathy': Inquiry Hears of NHS Failures
9 Jul
Summary
- Former manager described patient neglect and staff apathy.
- Concerns raised about excessive patient medication.
- Allegations of superficial improvements for inspections.
A former ward manager has provided testimony at a public inquiry detailing profound issues within mental health services. He recounted an environment characterized by "astonishing apathy," where patients frequently faced prolonged waits for medical decisions and staff showed a marked lack of engagement with their lives.
The former staff member, who worked at the Linden Centre and The Lakes, expressed shame over the limited interaction with patients. He highlighted concerns about overmedication, recalling a disturbing comment about the "ideal patient" being heavily medicated.
Further testimony revealed a culture focused on organizational protection rather than patient care. Walls were reportedly painted just before regulatory visits, a practice described as "farcical." Patient observations were allegedly increased for trust protection, not patient well-being.
The inquiry also heard criticism regarding the removal of patients' personal items after self-harm incidents, deemed punitive. Changes to safety protocols were often reactive, implemented only after serious incidents occurred.
