Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Edenfield Centre: Treatment of Patients

13 October 2022 · 12 other contributors

Opened by Will Quince Con Barking

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Will Quince raised concerns about edenfield centre: treatment of patients in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The treatment of vulnerable people at the Edenfield Centre is unacceptable according to the minister.
  • The Department is working with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to ensure patient safety.
  • Staff are suspended pending investigation and an independent investigation has been agreed upon.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Will Quince

I am grateful for the opportunity to address this urgent question. The treatment of vulnerable people at the Edenfield Centre, as exposed by BBC Panorama, is completely unacceptable. My Department is collaborating with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to ensure patient safety and clinical reviews have been completed. A number of staff are suspended pending investigation, an independent investigation has been agreed upon, and Greater Manchester police are investigating the case presented by Panorama. The trust will continue working closely with local and national partners including the CQC and NHS England. While these steps are important, more questions remain to be answered in light of recent scandals. I thank whistleblowers, BBC, patients, and families affected, emphasising that anyone receiving mental health treatment deserves dignity and respect.

Other contributors (12)
  • Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South

    Question

    The shadow asks about sufficient training levels in mental health care, additional funding for mental health services, an apology from the Minister, support for a public inquiry, and how the correct care is being given to patients featured in the programme such as Olivia and Harley.

    Minister reply

    The Minister agrees to meet with the shadow's colleague on mental health training plans. He apologises unequivocally to affected families and states that an independent inquiry meets the threshold for this case. Regarding NHS funding, he notes a £2.3 billion yearly investment commitment as part of the NHS long-term plan.

  • Andrew Selous

    Question

    Selous asks how proactive independent evidence can be provided to prevent such behaviour in the future and ensure the highest standards of care are met.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledges the need for transparency and improvement, stating that the Under-Secretary will consider options to enhance clarity on cases like this. He highlights that the vast majority of NHS staff provide world-class care.

  • Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting

    Question

    The Minister mentioned additional £2.3 billion funding for mental health, but the same amount has been cited by different Ministers over four years without significant improvements in care quality and patient safety. She raised concerns about staff bullying, inappropriate use of restraint, and seclusion practices at NHS facilities such as Edenfield Centre. The MP also asked why families have to rely on media investigations rather than proper oversight mechanisms.

    Minister reply

    The Government is committed to improving mental health services through the NHS long-term plan with additional £2.3 billion funding by 2023-24. They are establishing new patient safety networks and implementing reviews to address restrictive practices, including care education and treatment reviews for patients in long-term segregation.

  • Barbara Keeley

    Question

    NHS guidelines on the overuse of restraint and seclusion have been ineffective, with multiple instances of abuse at various mental health facilities. The MP highlighted the case of Harley, a young autistic woman detained at Edenfield Centre who experienced punitive seclusion for weeks. She called for an end to such practices.

    Minister reply

    The Government is conducting care education and treatment reviews and senior intervenor pilots for people in long-term segregation. They are also completing safety and wellbeing reviews and will publish the findings of a national thematic review later this year.

  • Steve Double

    Question

    Mental health providers face challenges in recruiting staff, particularly in rural areas.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State is working on a workforce plan. Since 2021, the number of mental health professionals has increased by 5.4%, with a total increase of 12.2% since June 2010.

  • Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East

    Question

    Jemima Burnage, interim director at the CQC, described footage from Edenfield Centre as 'appalling'. The MP asked if a public inquiry is warranted.

    Minister reply

    The Minister agrees that it meets the threshold for an independent inquiry. The Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust has already suspended staff involved in the abuse revealed by the documentary.

  • Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

    Question

    Reform of the 40-year-old Mental Health Act is long overdue. The MP asked when legislation will be introduced for reform.

    Minister reply

    A Bill to reform the Mental Health Act is in the Lords. The Government has taken several measures including the use of force Act, patient safety strategy, and patient safety networks among others.

  • Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

    Question

    The MP questioned the efficacy of CQC inspections given that the Edenfield Centre was inspected only a few months before the abuse became public.

    Minister reply

    While disappointed in the serious incident notification report, the Minister acknowledged steps taken by the Government to improve oversight and accountability. The CQC is being held accountable for its response.

  • Barry Gardiner Lab Brent West

    Question

    What was the earliest date on which a whistleblower or member of a family contacted either the Department or the CQC? Given the history of degrading behaviour at Winterbourne View and other places, what confidence does he have that it can assure the public that care is being given at the quality required?

    Minister reply

    The first whistleblower complaint was around Easter. The Minister believes processes need to be looked at but also acknowledges that staff hide misconduct from authorities. However, swift action must be taken when there is a whistleblower complaint.

  • Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

    Question

    Why will the Minister not commit to recruiting 8,500 extra staff in NHS mental health services as Labour has pledged?

    Minister reply

    The Government is committed to expanding and diversifying roles available for the mental health workforce. By 2023-24, there will be an additional 27,000 mental health professionals in the workforce.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Will the Minister make contact with the devolved Administrations to ensure lessons learned can be shared across the United Kingdom?

    Minister reply

    There is no monopoly on best practice. The Minister agrees that where it does exist, these practices should be shared and lessons learned from poor practice must be applied not just in England but throughout the UK.

Shadow Comment

Christian Wakeford

The shadow criticises the Department for a lack of response after 15 days since Panorama aired concerning footage from the Edenfield Centre. The programme exposed physical abuse, sexualised behaviour by staff, falsified medical records, and prolonged isolation. Wakeford expresses concerns about leadership failings and a culture of bullying, citing correspondence with past and current relatives of patients and employees at the centre. He calls for sufficient training levels in mental health care, additional funding details from the Government, an apology to affected families, and support for a public inquiry due to conflicts of interest.

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