Mental health complainants fear reprisals

Mental health patients subjected to abuse on wards do not formally complain as they "do not want to expose themselves to any risk of revenge" from staff, academics say.

A study by Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Hertfordshire, involving 21 patients and two carers, uncovered more than 750 incidents of violence and coercion by staff, few of which were reported.

The researchers suggested social workers should be present on wards, with staff also required to wear body cameras to protect patients.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said staff committing acts of violence should be removed and prosecuted.

Claims of violence and coercion allegedly committed by staff included patients being physically restrained, verbally abused, being moved with force and being deliberately ignored.

Eight patients told researchers that one or two staff were responsible for abuse against them, while 18 said acts were witnessed by other patients or staff.

Only four official complaints were made, according to researchers, with just one upheld.

Mr Munt said: "The preoccupation for many patients is that they do not want to expose themselves to any risk of revenge."

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 6 March 2025