“Catastrophic failure” in patient safety reignites calls from BASW for urgent systemic reforms

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) expresses concern following the revelations of a collapse of care at St Andrew’s mental health hospital in Northampton, and the subsequent decision by NHS England to write to NHS commissioners notifying them that they need to find alternative placements for the 287 people currently detained in appalling conditions. This move follows a catastrophic failure in patient safety, including widespread allegations of physical and sexual assault, seeing 15 staff arrests, and the hospital being placed in “Special Measures” and rated as inadequate by the CQC.