Inspection begins at health trust that failed patients

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission have returned to Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust as part of a ‘focussed’ inspection that started yesterday.

The inspection follows the publication of an independent report commissioned by NHS England that highlighted the failure of the trust to investigate and learn from the deaths of hundreds of people who received care in their learning disability and mental health services.

The Southampton-based trust runs several hospitals, including Gosport War Memorial Hospital and Elmleigh Hospital in Havant.

Dr Paul Lelliott, deputy chief inspector of hospitals and lead for mental health, said: ‘During this inspection we will be looking in particular at the trust’s approach to the investigation of deaths – including how the trust is implementing the action plan which had been required following publication of the independently-commissioned report.

‘At the time, the trust was criticised for failing to engage properly with families. As part of this inspection we will seek to hear from patients and carers about their involvement in investigations.’