Bullying allegations at Leeds mental health ward

A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection into a Leeds mental health ward has revealed major concerns about the level of care being provided with allegations of inadequate protection against abuse.

The health watchdog visited the ward, at the Newsam Centre near Seacroft Hospital, as part of a series of 150 unannounced inspections into hospitals and care homes for people with learning disabilities. It found at the Leeds ward that action had not been taken promptly after allegations of bullying and there were no records of actions taken to safeguard vulnerable patients; so it concluded that patients were not being adequately protected.

The CQC also said it had added concerns about the care and welfare of patients because it found little evidence of any patients or relatives being involved in care planning. The Leeds and York Partnership MHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Newsam Centre, said it took the issue of safeguarding very seriously and that, since the report was released, it had been altered to ensure that there were no further delays in the process. It had also taken steps to make sure that service users and their families were involved in planning.