Four out of six mental health wards at a hospital trust that houses people with autism and learning disabilities were understaffed, inspectors found.
The inspection of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust found it “requires improvement overall”.
Watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the trust between 5 October and 3 November.
Campaigner Mark Neary (right, pictured with his son Steven) says staff shortages at Southern Health paint a damning picture
The CQC inspected services including a ward for older people with mental health problems, crisis services, an acute ward and a psychiatric intensive care unit.
The inspectors rated all these services as needing improvement.
Low morale
They found “pockets of low morale” across the trust. These were impacted by staffing pressures.
Other areas the inspectors looked at included wards for those with learning disabilities and autism and children and adolescents.
They rated these services as “good”.
Southern Health history
Southern Health is one of the country’s largest providers of mental health facilities.
In 2015, an NHS England investigation found it failed to properly investigate the deaths of more than 1,000 patients with learning disabilities or mental health problems over four years.
In June 2016, the trust accepted responsibility for the death of 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk, who drowned in a bath.
Connor, who had autism and epilepsy, was found dead in NHS unit Slade House, in Oxfordshire, in July 2013.
‘Beyond belief”
Mark Neary is a campaigner with Rightful Lives, a learning disabilities human rights group.
Neary, whose son Steven, 31, has autism, said it is “beyond belief” that the trust has “fallen back into its old habits”.
He said the staff shortages and low morale found by the CQC inspection were “damning”.
‘Incredibly stretched’
Roy Shields is the chief executive of Southern Health.
He said trust staff had been “incredibly stretched” during the coronavirus pandemic.
Shields said he was “disappointed” by the overall rating. However, he added he was pleased the CQC praised the culture of care, positive patient feedback and strong leadership at the trust.
Related:
- NHS to screen all mental health deaths
- Connor death: NHS Trust fined £2 million
- Mum reveals fight over Connor’s death
- Percy shunted out of £190k post
- Adults fear death in poor healthcare
- Percy’s former role not advertised
- Medical staff still lack autism training
- No trust in Southern Health NHS Trust
- Spotlight on hospital care
- New NHS guidelines shift care provision
- Calls to end long-distance care
Published: 11 February 2022
