Call for Council to boost safeguarding action over St Andrews

A call for West Northants Council to step up its safeguarding action over St Andrews Hospital has come from Cllr Sally Keeble, leader of the council’s Labour Group.

Her call comes after a further report (12 December) on the hospital – a national provider of mental health services and key institution in Northampton – listed a series of failings, including inappropriate use of restraint and assaults on patients.

The hospital was put into special measures earlier this year after it referred itself to the regulator. Although it’s a charity, many of the people in its care are paid for by the state, and West Northamptonshire has an overall lead safeguarding responsibility for vulnerable adults and children in its area.

Cllr Sally Keeble said:

“This latest report is another damming assessment of what is happening at St Andrews. Given all the concerns that have been raised, there should have been some progress in improving the services.

“However, in the case for example of the forensic inpatient or secure wards, this was not the case. The CQC found much needed improvements in safe care and treatment, safeguarding, good governance, and staffing had not been made. The hospital ‘remained in breach of these regulations.’

“West Northamptonshire Council has an overall safeguarding duty for adults in its area and must:

• Say whether it has received, directly or through the Safeguarding Adults Board, referrals raising  safeguarding concerns about the care of people in St Andrews over the past four years.

• If it’s received reports, how many were in respect of West Northants residents.

• What it has done to investigate or review those concerns.

“And it must act especially to protect any West Northants residents being cared for in St Andrews. They should not be left in the hospital if their well-being is at risk.”

This is the second time Cllr Keeble has pressed WNC over its actions at St Andrews.