Latest news with #GreaterManchesterMentalHealthTrust
Sky News
16-04-2025
- Sky News
Family of man who committed murder after escaping from mental health unit say they were 'failed' by NHS trust
The family of a man who committed murder during an escape from a secure mental health unit have told Sky News they were "failed" by the trust that was meant to be caring for him. Joshua Carroll is currently waiting to be sentenced for the murder of Headley Thomas, known as Barry, after beating him to death in a park in Trafford, Manchester, in September 2022. At the time of the attack, Joshua was in the care of Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH). He was being treated as an inpatient at Park House, a unit which has now closed down. Joshua's mum and sister say he escaped from the unit 21 times - and they repeatedly complained to the trust and asked for help. Leanne Carroll, Joshua's sister, told Sky News: "The night it happened, Joshua had come to my house. And it was just a normal 'oh Joshua has escaped from hospital again'. Nothing appeared any different." She says they didn't find out about what had happened until Joshua was arrested weeks later - and "everything fell apart from there". "My heart broke," said Joshua's mum, Julie Carroll. "It's just a horrible, horrible situation." Joshua had been diagnosed with conditions including schizoaffective disorder, and had been in and out of inpatient care for around 15 years, his family said. They showed me more than 20 pages of complaints and responses from GMMH about his repeated escapes, dating back eight years before the murder. After Joshua's fourth escape from Park House, his family asked for him to be moved to another unit, saying they were concerned about security. This didn't happen, with the trust citing capacity issues. His family complained once again about his escapes just five weeks before the murder, in August 2022. "We are very, very angry and disappointed," said Julie. "You think if your child is in hospital, and they are very poorly, that they are going to be looked after - they will be safe and they will be secure. But that wasn't the case for Josh." Although Joshua was convicted of murder, Leanne says his family hold GMMH partly responsible. "If you had done your job properly - none of this would have happened," she said. "Two families wouldn't have been destroyed and so many hearts wouldn't have been broken." Since 2022, GMMH has been served with several Section 29A warning notices by the Care Quality Commission. These are issued when the commission decides a service needs to make significant improvements, and there is a risk of harm. In the case of GMMH, their concerns included "ward security systems not consistently keeping people safe". Dr John Mulligan is a clinical psychologist for GMMH, working in the community for the early intervention in psychosis service, and a representative for the union Unite. He and his colleagues have been going on strike repeatedly across the past seven months, saying they just don't have the staffing levels they need to keep people safe. "Thankfully, violent incidents among our service users are quite rare, they are much more likely to be the victims of violence and aggression," he said. "But serious incidents are happening regularly. Far too regularly. "It's very upsetting for staff and for patients and families." Salli Midgley, chief nurse at the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: "On behalf of GMMH, we express our heartfelt condolences to Headley Thomas's loved ones at this very sad time. "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with everyone who has been affected by this most devastating incident. We are deeply sorry that it happened while Joshua Carroll was under our care. "Under the trust's new leadership, we have been working closely with NHS England, our commissioners and the CQC to create better, safer and well-led services for all." She continued: "A huge amount of progress has already been made but we know we still have a lot to do to improve our services. "As part of this work, we are currently carrying out an in-depth investigation into the care and treatment provided to Mr Carroll, and the circumstances leading to Mr Thomas' death, the findings of which will be shared with NHS England. "We are unable to comment further on this case whilst the investigation is ongoing." Barry Thomas's family told Sky News mental health is a very serious issue - but they believe Joshua Carroll tried to "play down his actions". They said: "Let's all remember that a life was taken. Our brother, father, and uncle. The evidence the police gathered was in plain sight for all to see. "We, the family, would like to thank all the police involved for the work they have done, in bringing justice for Barry."
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Inside Manchester's new £105m mental health hospital that's 'more like a five-star hotel', says boxer Ricky Hatton
The £105m mental health unit at the heart of the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital has been officially opened. Boxing legend Ricky Hatton MBE today, March 21, led the celebrations for the state-of-the-art inpatient mental health hospital. The hospital, North View, is on the North Manchester General Hospital site and will provide state-of-the-art treatment environments, therapeutic support, and round-the-clock care in a purpose-built facility designed to promote dignity, privacy and well-being, says Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust. "The hospital features modern patient accommodation, communal therapy spaces, and landscaped gardens to support holistic recovery," added the trust. "It is a purpose-built unit offering state-of-the-art facilities, where round-the-clock care and treatment can be provided in a therapeutic environment, designed to promote dignity, privacy and wellbeing." READ MORE: LIVE: Cordon in place after body found near Manchester city centre - updates READ MORE: Police rush to Greater Manchester school following reports of an 'intruder' The new in-patient unit provides: 150 single en-suite bedrooms to be provided over nine single sex wards, including a purpose-built Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, six adult acute wards for female and male adults, one rehabilitation ward, one older adults' ward, and a treatment suite that supports research and innovation studies. An assessment suite (specifically for people needing a place of safety and assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act). A variety of internal activity areas and multiple outside garden spaces, specifically designed to enhance the environment and aid recovery. It also provides assessment and treatment for adults and older people with mental health needs such as depression, schizophrenia, psychosis and dementia. The development is the first mental health facility in the country to operate completely on electricity. Greater Manchester-born Ricky, a former world boxing champion, said: 'I am delighted and honoured to be at North View for this opening. It has been well-documented what mental health means to me over the years and to be able to give a little bit back. 'The main thing about mental health is people don't speak about it and even if you do, it must be very daunting to go to hospital, but this doesn't seem like a hospital, it's more like a five star hotel. It's fantastic. You've got a gym in there. "Lovely bright colours, gardens where you can sit outside. If you've got a problem with mental health, this is the type of place you want to be to recover. It's fantastic for the city of Manchester to have this on their doorstep. Hopefully more cities up and down the country will have facilities like this soon too.' The unit marks the first major step towards the total transformation of the sprawling, Victorian-era hospital in Crumpsall. In January, after more than five years of waiting for the go-ahead, hospital bosses finally got the confirmation from government that the rebuild will happen. Funding between £1bn and £1.5bn for the complete overhaul of North Manchester General has been pledged by Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The £105.9m mental health facility was started in 2022 to replace the ageing Park House mental health unit on the Crumpsall site, and start the process of North Manchester General's total regeneration. Park House saw people treated in mainly dormitory-style hospital accommodation with little outdoor space. The new North View mental health hospital promises to 'significantly improve' the experience for patients, including their privacy and dignity, said Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH), in charge of the facility. GMMH Chair, Tony Warne, said: 'This is a very proud moment as we welcome Ricky Hatton to officially open our award-winning North View in-patient mental health hospital – a facility that represents hope and healing for mental health here in Greater Manchester. 'North View is an important investment in Manchester's mental health services. 'Our ethos is community first which means treating people in their communities wherever possible. But to do that, we also need the very best inpatient facilities for those who need them. 'With the opening of North View, and its modern, state of the art facilities and accommodation we are affirming our commitment to those experiencing mental health challenges – and who need in-patient support – that they will receive the best possible care and respect they deserve.' North View patients and staff, were joined by GMMH's Chief Executive Karen Howell, GMMH Chair, Tony Warne, the Leader of Manchester City Council Councillor Bev Craig, Manchester City Council CEO Tom Stannard, partners, contractors, local dignitaries, GMMH's services users and carers as well as members of the community as Ricky performed the honours. One former patient and Peer Mentor at Park House, the building North View has replaced, Nicola, said: 'It has been an honour to be involved with the building of North View since the beginning and seeing issues addressed in how it has been designed and developed. 'I have first-hand experience, while being acutely unwell, of the many challenges and barriers patients faced in Park House - which was completely unfit for purpose, particularly the lack of privacy and dignity. I also faced extra challenges during my stay at Park House as I was in a wheelchair and the building was extremely inaccessible.' 'The positive impact of having a new purpose-built facility which gives all patients their own rooms, therapeutic spaces, and a safe welcoming environment that promotes privacy and dignity for people at their most vulnerable, will be far reaching - not just for patients but for their families, carers and staff.'
