An independent review of a troubled mental health service is being launched after 'inexcusable behaviour and examples of unacceptable care' were 'exposed' at a mental health unit. The review will start this month and is expected to conclude by the end of September.
Greater Manchester Mental Health trust is being investigated by an independent review as instructed by NHS England. The review will look into the 'failings within the trust's services, reported at the Edenfield Centre, and the failure within the organisation to escalate concerns and mitigate against patient harm'.
The Edenfield Centre is in the grounds of the former Prestwich Hospital and was the subject of a BBC Panorama programme that claims patients were abused. In the weeks following the episode, 30 staff were facing disciplinary action and a dozen were sacked soon after, the Manchester Evening News understands.
The independent review also follows the concerns raised by patients, staff and their families as well as the media, according to the independent review announcement. "The intention is that the review’s work will bring some clarity and reassurance to patients, their families, and staff, as well as the broader public, in respect of the ongoing safety of services that the trust delivers," read the announcement.
It continued: "The patient failings at Edenfield Centre in Prestwich, were reported extensively by BBC Panorama following an undercover investigation, and will be the main focus of the independent review. It is important to note, the review will also look at the trust’s other medium and low secure services and will include reviews of ward to board escalation and oversight of patient safety and staff culture."
The review will consider:
- What happened
- How it was able to happen
- Why various aspects of GMMH and NHS didn’t know it was happening
- Learnings that can be shared more broadly across the NHS.
"The independent review will commence in February 2023 and is expected to conclude no later than the 30 September 2023," says the announcement.
NHS England has asked Professor Oliver Shanley OBE to lead the independent review as chair. Professor Shanley OBE has more than 30 years of experience of working in several mental health settings, says NHS England. He originally qualified as a mental health nurse, working in a variety of clinical jobs, including forensic mental health services.
He has worked in executive leadership roles since 2003 including the Chief Nurse for London and a Chief Executive of a mental health provider. In the 2016 New Year’s Honours list Professor Shanley was awarded an OBE for services to mental health and learning disability nursing.
The terms of reference for the independent review will now be developed in full by Professor Shanley. This will include collaboration with some patients, service users, families and staff as well as NHS England North West’s Regional Team.
Read more of today's top stories here.
READ NEXT:
