‘High use of agency staff’ contributed to care failings exposed by hidden cameras

High use of agency staff contributed to the care failings exposed at a mental health trust by undercover reporters, an internal inquiry has found.

Essex Partnership University Trust was at the centre of a Channel 4 documentary last year which raised concerns over care, including the use of restraints and patient observations.

The trust initially refused to release the final report after a freedom of information request by HSJ, but has now released a redacted version on appeal. 

The report identified a number of concerns in relation to patient and staff safety, saying factors that contributed to these concerns included high usage of temporary staff and high patient acuity on the two acute mental health wards recorded.

The internal inquiry looked into allegations of the inappropriate use of restraints raised in the documentary. This section, which contained redactions, found restraint was taught to be used as a last resort, but suggested high temporary staffing levels and a “lack of confident and adequately skilled staff” contributed to guidance not being followed.

Another concern was around staff sleeping on duty and the use of mobile phones during patient observations. The internal inquiry found there was an “absence of visible leadership and role modelling” to ensure this did not happen during clinical practice.

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Source: HSJ, 17 October 2023