Mental health trust faces prosecution over patient safety

THE trust that provides mental health care in the Portsmouth area is to be prosecuted over failing to keep its patients safe.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th Mar 2017, 15:53 BST

Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:00 BST

Southern Health's Tamerine facility in Denmead

The Care Quality Commission has informed Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust that it will be prosecuted over an alleged failure to provide safe care and treatment resulting in avoidable harm to a patient and other patients being exposed to a significant risk of avoidable harm.

The prosecution follows an incident in December 2015 when a patient sustained serious injuries during a fall from a low roof at Melbury Lodge, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester.

By law, registered providers of health and social care services – including NHS trusts – must take all reasonable steps and exercise all due diligence to ensure patients receive safe care and treatment.

The case is expected to be heard later in the year at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.