Hospital CCTV shows staff 'dragging children on floor'

Mental health provider warned over alleged abuse of patients

- REBECCA THOMAS

Children at an NHS-funded private hospital allegedly suffered physical abuse at the hands of staff who were seen on CCTV dragging patients around corridors, The Independent can reveal.

Joyce Parker Hospital in Coventry, run by Cygnet Health Care, has been sent an official warning by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after inspectors found evidence that young patients had suffered abuse.

The hospital, which has 22 mental health beds, has been told it failed to protect patients from “abuse and improper treatment”, in an official warning this month. Nine NHS patients are left in the unit, though it is not clear how many the provider had at the time.

CQC inspectors found CCTV footage which appeared to show staff dragging patients out of rooms and across floors. West Midlands Police is currently investigating a number of allegations made about the hospital, officials confirmed. Coventry City Council said a “multi-agency” investigation is underway into the allegations, but would not comment further.

The CQC can issue Section 29 notices following an inspection which notifies a provider it is failing to comply with Health and Social Care legislation. These notices are not usually published but can be mentioned within an overall inspection report when published. Providers are able to make challenges to the CQC if they feel a notice has been unreasonably served or is inaccurate.

Cygnet Health Care said in response to The Independent that the CQC warning has yet to be published and said it is in discussions with the watchdog. However, it said as part of discussions it refutes the allegations of abuse but has reported some “inappropriate use of restraint during very difficult circumstances” in line with its duties.