Calls for ‘rapid’ review of inpatient mental health care following Sky News investigation
Labour has called for a review of inpatient mental health care following a Sky News investigation which raised serious concerns about the treatment of more than 20 teenagers.
The investigation gathered testimonies from a large group of former patients or their relatives who were in children’s mental health units run by a single provider – The Huntercombe Group.
In response to our report, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Labour’s shadow cabinet minister for mental health, has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay calling for a “rapid” review.
She said: “Yesterday’s Sky News and Independent report into the treatment of young women at inpatient units run by The Huntercombe Group was extremely distressing.
“Patients, and their families, rightly expect to be safe in inpatient settings.
“With patients suffering from PTSD as a result of their treatment, the long-term impact of their experiences cannot be ignored.”
The Huntercombe Group
Sky News spoke to more than 20 former patients who went to Huntercombe units over a ten-year period – some as recently as February and March this year.
There were recurring themes in their complaints – from the overuse of restraint to inadequate staffing levels leaving people at risk of self harm.
Nikki Boughton-Smith is the mother of Amber Rehman – one of the patients we interviewed for our investigation.
Amber Rehman
She said: “I think a really important point is that these young people who have spoken out are not unique incidences.
“From the great work Sky News has done, we know others have been diagnosed with PTSD.”
Asked about her daughter, Nikki said: “Amber is slowly finding the words to articulate her experience – which, like many of the girls have done – is very, very hard to do that.”
In response to our report, mental health organisations said they welcomed a pledge by the Department of Health to investigate the issues raised by Sky News.
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The Sky News investigation found evidence of the mistreatment of teenagers at mental health facilities
‘Must never happen again’
Tom Quinn from eating disorder charity, Beat, told Sky News: “These reports of appalling practices and a failure to provide specialist treatment to help address patients’ mental illnesses are shocking.
“We welcome news the Department of Health and Social Care are investigating these allegations. It’s crucial this investigation is comprehensive and steps are taken to ensure this mistreatment is never allowed to happen again.”
In a tweet, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said: ‘It’s devastating to hear the allegations of the awful treatment of 22 young women in a mental health hospital group over the last decade.”
The Huntercombe Group merged with Active Care Group in December 2021.
It said: “The previous owners retain all the legal entities and associated records for these facilities prior to their acquisition. The current group is therefore unable to comment on the services provided prior to this date.”
The previous owners, Elli Investments Group, said it regrets the hospitals, which were independently managed, failed to meet the expected standards for high quality care.
A Department of Health and Social care spokesperson told Sky News: “The allegations of mistreatment that have been raised are deeply concerning.
“We take these reports very seriously and are investigating the concerns raised and are working with NHS England and the CQC to ensure all mental health inpatient settings are providing the standard of care we expect.”
A police officer who was driving a van that followed two teenagers shortly before they died in an e-bike crash will not be prosecuted.
The deaths of Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, sparked riots in the Ely area of Cardiff in May 2023.
The officer was facing a dangerous driving allegation but prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statement said: “We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for the families of both boys and will offer a meeting with them to explain our reasoning further.”
Rumours on social media that the teenagers were being pursued by police were initially denied.
South Wales Police said none of its vehicles were in Snowden Road at the time of the crash.
But police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later confirmed it was investigating after video appeared to show them being followed by a van – without blue lights or a siren – minutes before the incident.
Other footage, however, showed the van turn off and it wasn’t following the boys at the time of the collision.
A key factor under consideration was whether there was any point at which the actions of the officers in the van “constituted a pursuit”.
CCTV showed a police van following the bike moments before it crashed
Read more:
Timeline of events before fatal Cardiff crash
The driver and passenger of the marked police van were previously issued with gross misconduct notices.
A second investigation was also opened by the IOPC into issues including police management of the crash scene and treatment of the families.
Riots broke out in the Ely area after the boys’ death. Pic: PA
Pic: PA
A riot of several hours broke out after the boys’ deaths, with cars set alight and fireworks and other missiles thrown at police.
Eleven officers needed hospital treatment and 31 people were eventually charged.
The decision not to charge the police officer driving the van can be challenged under the victims’ right of review scheme.
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