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Mental Health Hospital Abuse: 15 Staff Arrested
17 Feb
Summary
- 15 staff members arrested amid allegations of rape and ill-treatment.
- Hospital rated 'inadequate' by CQC, facing multiple police investigations.
- Patients and whistleblowers describe a culture of abuse and neglect.
A culture of abuse, rape, ill-treatment, and neglect has been described by patients and whistleblowers at St Andrew's Healthcare, a specialist mental health facility in Northampton. This has led to 15 staff members being arrested as part of three ongoing police investigations. The hospital, which provides care for approximately 600 individuals with complex mental health needs, is under intense scrutiny.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the hospital as inadequate last year, imposing conditions that have restricted new admissions. One former patient reported severe injuries, including broken ribs and malnutrition, stating staff restrained her excessively. Another former staff member described witnessing nurses goading patients and instances where patients self-harmed due to staff negligence.
Northamptonshire Police have arrested individuals in relation to alleged assaults and patient deaths. These investigations include suspicions of wilful neglect, ill-treatment, rape, corporate manslaughter, and gross negligence manslaughter. The charity running St Andrew's Healthcare has dismissed several staff members and stated a commitment to transparency and a zero-tolerance approach to harm.
