External review into handling of contract for autism services
A contract for the care of children with autism is to be the subject of an independent review triggered by NHS England. The review will examine the oversight and management … Read more
Mental health
Private mental health unit shut down after damning inspection report
CQC inspectors have rated an adolescent mental health unit as “inadequate” and highlighted a series of failings, including treatment of a patient and children being dragged across the floor. The … Read more
GPs suggesting patients go private as thousands of young people rejected by mental health services
Tighter restrictions on access to mental health services mean that thousands of young patients are being denied care, leading to a large rise in the numbers turning up in A&E, … Read more
Cygnet Health’s leadership criticised by Care Quality Commission
A CQC report on the management of Cygnus Health raises concerns about the leadership at a firm at the centre of a BBC expose over allegations of abuse at a … Read more
Cygnet mental health unit rated unsafe
The Cygnet Acer Clinic, a privately run mental health unit, has been banned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) from admitting new patients; the inspectors found numerous safety failings, one … Read more
US corporations expand across NHS mental health care
New research has revealed that US companies now provide 1 in 8 inpatient mental health beds in England. In some areas this chance is much higher. In Manchester there is … Read more
Private mental health hospital used for NHS patients rated “inadequate”
Maryfield Court, a private mental health hospital, has been rated “inadequate” and put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission. The hospital in Manchester is used for NHS patients … Read more
Inspectors discover poor standards at 28 private mental health units
Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have found 28 mental health units run by private companies to be “inadequate” in the past three years, leading to fears that vulnerable … Read more
Contract dispute with private provider of autism services
HSJ reports that the private provider of autism services, Midlands Psychology, in Staffordshire has sent emails to parents cancelling new patients’ appointments ahead of its contract expiring on 30 September. … Read more
Record breaking child waiting lists forces CCG to seek extra providers
There is a backlog of about 1,800 under 18s waiting to be assessed in Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Cases include one person having waited 122 weeks for an assessment … Read more
Two Priory Group hospitals placed in special measures
The Care Quality Commission has placed two hospitals run by the Priory Group in special measures in a fresh controversy over state-funded private contractors’ treatment of people with mental illness … Read more
Private firms were given £9.2 billion from the NHS budget last year on Hancock’s watch
The £9.2 billion of NHS budget given to private health providers last year, the highest levels reported, despite Matt Hancock’s pledge to reduce outsourcing of patient care. Virgin Care and … Read more
Private mental health hospital “requires improvement” reports CQC
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) report has downgraded the Cygnet Hospital at Godden Green near Sevenoaks to “requires improvement”. The CQC also imposed two requirement notices on the hospital in … Read more
UK CCGs spending ten times more on private healthcare providers despite ‘underfunded’ NHS – 2018 figures reveal
After BMA contacted all 176 UK CCGs, 78 gave figures on healthcare spending over the last 3 years. The figures showed a staggering £21m spending increase on private providers between … Read more
Midlands mental health workers against privatisation
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust is forcing 160 maintenance and facilities workers from working in the NHS into the subsidiary, Summer Hill Services Ltd. Use of this type … Read more
NHS forks out £181m to send patients with severe mental health problems into private care
The NHS is funding private healthcare providers an astounding £181m a year to send patients with severe mental health problems to care units that can reside hundreds of miles from … Read more
Mental health patients forced to rely on isolating private care
Five million mental health patients have been forced rely on care in the private sector. British Medical Association (BMA) investigated this crisis and has revealed various NHS patients with severe … Read more
Mental health provider rated ‘inadequate’ after abuse allegations
The Care Quality Commission has rated an independent mental health hospital as “inadequate”, just 15 months after it was rated as “good”, and following abuse allegations being raised. The care … Read more
The Priory faces multimillion-pound fine after death of girl in its care
The Priory, the private mental healthcare group, faces a multimillion-pound fine for breaching health and safety laws after a 14-year-old girl with a history of suicide attempts died in its … Read more
‘Inadequate’ High Wycombe hospital to be closed by The Priory
The Priory Group’s hospital in High Wycombe, which caters for children aged 13 to 17 with learning disabilities and/or autism, is to be closed after the health and care regulator … Read more
