Mental health patients in Dundee were subjected to “shocking” levels of restraint by staff, according to a leaked report.
The report has not been made public but according to the BBC, it states NHS staff at Dundee’s Carseview Centre restrained patients by pinning them down for excessive periods and in dangerous positions.
The report was commissioned after a documentary was aired, which included similar claims by former patients.
It comes amid an ongoing independent inquiry into mental health services at NHS Tayside, launched following a campaign by families of Carseview patients who took their own lives.
Professor Peter Tyrer, who chaired the group that wrote the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on restraint in mental health, said the report was “shocking”.
Politicians and campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to act over the findings and make the report public immediately.
Gillian Murray, whose uncle David Ramsay killed himself after being refused admission to Carseview in 2016, said the report contained information she always knew.
She said: “Truthfully, it doesn’t surprise me – why would it?
“Vulnerable people are routinely losing their lives and being abused.
“What does surprise me is, why are the same staff being allowed to practise? What is really going on?
“Are whistle-blowers being ignored by management? Were ex-medical directors at NHS Tayside aware of the repeated concerns at Carseview?
“NHS Tayside has a habit of silencing genuine concerns so, first and foremost, this report needs to be made public, especially in light of the on-going inquiry into NHS Tayside Mental Health.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie, said: “These horrific reports suggest patients are being mistreated in a potentially life-threatening fashion.
“Restraint is supposed to be a last resort but the sheer number of occurrences shows that it is anything but.
“Experts and whistle-blowers have raised serious concerns about this behaviour. The Health Secretary must ensure that the complete report is published as soon as possible and that its recommendations are delivered in full.”
Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health Monica Lennon said: “These pictures and testimonies will be horrifying for people across Scotland but they will be heartbreaking for local families who campaigned for answers about Carseview and appear to be having their worst fears confirmed.
“This report now needs to be published in full without delay.
“Health Secretary Jeane Freeman needs to desperately get a grip of the problems at NHS Tayside, which are not limited to mental health services.”
Minister for Mental Health Clare Haughey said: “The Scottish Government is investing significantly into mental health services, and expect all services across Scotland to be delivered at the highest standards.
“Those who require it, should have the best quality of care and the lessons learned from the ongoing Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Services across Tayside will be shared widely to help shape and deliver future services to ensure this.
“NHS Tayside have indicated their determination to make improvements, to deliver the best possible mental health service for the people of Tayside.
“NHS Tayside have acknowledged that a number of recommendations from this report were required to be progressed as part of their Mental Health Quality Improvement programme, and this is a matter for the NHS Tayside Board to deal with at a local level.
“The Scottish Government is keen to ensure the voices of people with lived experience are heard clearly, and the report by the Health and Social Care Alliance, based on evidence from people with lived experience of using services in Tayside, is a good example of taking an inclusive approach to this.”
NHS Tayside: “We have confidence in the quality and commitment of our staff”
NHS Tayside said improving mental health services in Tayside is one of its top priorities and that work is underway to reduce the levels of restraint used on patients.
The assessment of Carseview also made 11 recommendations that have been shared with staff, including working with police to stop the supply and use of illegal drugs in the centre.
Work is also underway to ensure staff have the latest training in dealing with patients who are behaving in a violent or aggressive manner.
Professor Peter Stonebridge, acting medical director for NHS Tayside said: “The concerns raised last year about the use of restraint in Carseview are a particular focus for our least restrictive care steering group who are working with staff, patients and carers to reduce the levels of restraint within our inpatient wards.
“We report our rates of violence and restraint to the Scottish Patient Safety Programme Mental Health and it is clear that our median rates of violence and restraint do not make us an outlier with other mental health services in Scotland.
“People have told us about the impact restraint has on their mental wellbeing and we will ensure that their stories drive forward the reductions we are determined to achieve.
“We have confidence in the quality and commitment of our staff to ensure that patients and carers have the best care experience possible.
“NHS Tayside’s new Chief Executive has made a personal commitment to driving improvements in mental health services to ensure people have access to high quality care and treatment.
“Last year, the Board of NHS Tayside said it would be working closely with mental health services at Carseview and it would act where changes were necessary.
“We are acting on the recommendations in the internal assessment and are determined to make a difference and support our dedicated staff to deliver the best possible mental health services across Tayside.”
