'We saw staff laughing at the people they were supposed to be looking after': Inspectors' worry after shocking visit to mental health hospital

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A troubled mental health hospital has been slammed by inspectors, whose 'worrying' visit uncovered 'disproportionate levels of restraint'; 'care plans not being followed'; and 'people spending most of their time alone in their rooms'.

The Breightmet Centre for Autism in Bolton has been deemed 'inadequate' for a second consecutive time by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

A damming report has now been released. "Vulnerable people were relying on all staff members to act as their advocates, to help them live their best lives and it is unacceptable the people they relied on were treating them this way," they wrote. “We also saw staff laughing at the people they were supposed to be looking after." The hospital was previously rated 'inadequate' and placed in special measures following an inspection in March 2022.

The latest review in December saw officials 'witnessing incidents that gave them real concerns about people’s dignity and their experience of using this service'. READ MORE: Dad at risk of losing sight as eyelid swelled to ‘size of cherry tomato’ after devastating diagnosis The Breightmet Centre for Autism is an independent hospital run by ASC Healthcare Limited.