Ten Whorlton Hall Mental Hospital Workers Arrested Over Abuse Allegations

Ten hospital staff have been arrested in relation to patient abuse allegations at Whorlton Hall hospital.

Seven men and three women were arrested at addresses in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Stockton, UK.

The arrests follow a BBC Panorama investigation, with footage appearing to show staff mocking patients with autism and mental health problems.

BBC

Durham Police said those arrested were being questioned about offences relating to abuse and neglect.

The privately-run NHS-funded unit had been visited more than 100 times by official agencies in the year prior to the unearthing of the abuse.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: "As this is an ongoing inquiry, we are unable to comment further at this time, other than to repeat that our immediate priority has been to work with other agencies to safeguard the victims at the centre of the allegations and their families.

"The investigation is at an early stage and is expected to take some time to complete."

The police added that those who arrested will be released under investigation whilst inquiries continue.

Cygent - the company that runs the 17-bed hospital - said it was 'shocked and deeply saddened' by the allegations.

BBC

On Thursday, Care Minister Caroline Dinenage told the House of Commons she was 'deeply sorry that this has happened'.

She said: "The actions revealed by this programme are quite simply appalling. There is no other word to describe it and I absolutely condemn any abuse of this kind completely and utterly.

"I want to begin by saying Mr Speaker that I can only begin to imagine the impact of these experiences on the people themselves and the lasting damage and trauma that it will have caused to them and their lives. But also, how incredibly distressing it must be for their families watching it happening to their loved one, unable to step in, unable to do anything to help them. Utterly, utterly tragic.

"On behalf of the health care system Mr Speaker I am deeply sorry that this has happened."

The unit has now been closed and all the patients moved to other services.

Topics: UK News, crime

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey