Streeting praises exposé that led to hospital closure

Alleged abuse at children's unit uncovered by Independent

- KATE DEVLIN

Wes Streeting has praised The Independent's reporting on a children's hospital where staff allegedly physically abused patients by dragging them by the feet, saying that the exposé was “truly shocking”.

Joyce Parker Hospital, a children’s mental health unit run by Cygnet Health Care in Coventry, will now close after the claims first highlighted by this publication.

Earlier this year The Independent revealed a leaked letter from the Care Quality Commission to the hospital that warned that inspectors had allegedly found CCTV of staff abusing children while restraining them.

Speaking about the case, the health secretary said: “It is truly shocking the way in which children were treated in a place where they were supposed to be safe. I think the closure decision is the right one and we are working to make sure that the appropriate placements are provided for those young people.”