Trust ‘not guilty’ after CQC prosecution
A mental health trust has been found not guilty of care failings relating to an inpatient’s death following a trial which concluded today, over charges brought by the Care Quality Commission.
Struggling trust CEO says provider has ‘turned dial’ following care scandals
A mental health trust at the centre of several care scandals has ‘turned the dial’ on improvement, its chief executive has said, following the Care Quality Commission noting some progress but retaining a ‘requires improvement’ rating.
Trust faces trial after denying care failings over teenager’s death
A mental health trust has denied charges relating to the death of a teenage inpatient but admitted care failings relating to two other cases.
Trust heavily criticised by coroner for delays to death investigations
A coroner has strongly criticised a mental health trust for failing to investigate serious incidents promptly.
Mental Health Matters: Watchdog slams ‘tick box’ approach to suicides
HSJ’s fortnightly briefing covering safety, quality, performance and finances in the mental health sector — contact me in confidence.
‘Insufficiently curious’ leaders ‘tolerated’ safety failures
Leaders at a mental health trust tolerated high levels of safety incidents and accepted verbal assurance with ‘insufficient professional curiosity’, a critical report has found.
CCTV to be used ‘pro-actively’ by trusts to combat abuse
Mental health trusts are exploring wider use of CCTV to review incidents of seclusion or restraint in response to high-profile abuse scandals, HSJ has learned.
More prosecutions launched over patient deaths at trust
A scandal-hit mental health trust is facing further prosecutions over alleged care failings relating to the deaths of two inpatients, HSJ can reveal.
Deaths inquiry thrown into doubt as only 11 staff agree to give evidence
The chair of an inquiry into hundreds of deaths at a mental health trust has revealed she may not be able to deliver it in its current form following a ‘hugely disappointing’ lack of staff coming forward to give evidence.
HSJ’s 10 most read mental health stories of 2022
As we get ready to bid farewell to 2022, HSJ looks back at the 10 most read mental health stories of the year.
Liquidators for failed PFI provider launch court case against trust
One of England’s largest mental health trusts is embroiled in a multi-million-pound legal battle with its former private finance initiative provider.
Mental Health Matters: Ministers’ big call on a public inquiry
HSJ’s fortnightly briefing covering safety, quality, performance and finances in the mental health sector, by correspondent Emily Townsend — contact me in confidence.
‘Systemic failings’ and ‘lack of leadership’ led to deaths of three teenagers
Investigations into the deaths of three teenagers who were inpatients of a mental health hospital have found ‘systemic’ failings in their care.
Vulnerable patients injured by 'inadequate' service
A troubled trust’s inpatient wards for people with a learning disability or autism have been rated “inadequate”, with staff criticised for resorting to restraint too readily which sometimes injured patients.
Trusts ‘rationing’ crisis support as only seven ICSs achieve service expansion
Only a handful of integrated care systems have so far managed to implement a key expansion in their support for patients in mental health crisis.
CQC prosecutes troubled provider over death of teenage girl
A struggling mental health trust is being prosecuted over accusations it failed to protect a teenager at a children’s inpatient unit.
CEO describes anger at ‘disrespectful’ staff
The chief executive of a mental health trust grappling with care quality failures has described his anger at ‘disrespectful’ staff who have ‘now had to leave the organisation’.
Focus on acutes has left mental health facing ‘significant uncertainties’ say trust leaders
A large mental health trust has highlighted a lack of additional funding for the sector, in contrast to the £8bn earmarked for acute providers to tackle elective waiting lists.
Trust keeps ‘outstanding’ rating despite not listening ‘enough’ to staff concerns
The Care Quality Commission has rated the surgery and maternity departments at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton ‘inadequate’ following concerns over lifesaving emergency surgery being delayed and pregnant women waiting up to six hours to be assessed by a doctor.
Trusts struggle with growing backlog of uninvestigated incidents
The backlog of serious clinical incidents that need investigating is building up throughout the NHS, due to the impact of coronavirus and emergency service pressures.