Probes launched by health board following allegations

A health board has launched two probes following allegations of cruelty at a mental health facility for teenagers.

The BBC spoke to a number of young people who were treated at Skye House in Glasgow – a 24-bed psychiatric hospital on the grounds of Stobhill Hospital which provides care for 12 to 18-year-olds – with one describing it as “hell”.

A documentary from the corporation’s Disclosure team spoke to former patients who were admitted between 2017 and 2024, who reported staff being quick to resort to forceful restraint, to over-medicate and to use abusive language.

Following the programme, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde apologised to those impacted and announced an investigation into the quality of care at the facility, as well as an independent review of the unit, had been launched.

The board has also urged patients with concerns to get in touch.

One young woman told of how she was described as “disgusting” and forced to clean up her own blood after self-harming.

Named by the programme as Cara, she said: “They would give me wipes, and I’d be made to wipe the floor. It felt like a punishment, as if I’d done it on purpose.

“I just felt like I was constantly punished for things.”

While Jenna – who spent nine months at the unit beginning at age 16 – said: “It was hell, like a prison kind of environment.”

The facility faced staffing issues in recent years, the health board said, meaning agency and bank staff – who lacked experience with patients with such complex needs – were brought, in although levels have improved in the past 18 months.

A statement from Dr Scott Davidson, the medical director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We sincerely apologise to any patient at Skye House who has not received the level of care they expected.”

He added: “A number of the experiences described by patients were reported when they took place.

“We are grateful to our young patients for speaking up.  Each one was fully investigated, action was taken at the time the issue was raised, and lessons learned to improve our care.

“Other issues have not been previously raised with us and we are actively engaging with the patients highlighted in the programme to discuss their experiences and provide answers to any additional questions they may have.

“In light of these experiences and of the accounts of other patients, a full review of the quality of care has been launched.  We have also asked for an independent review of the unit.

“We strive to treat all our patients with respect, dignity and compassion, and to deliver safe and effective patient-centred care.

“However, we acknowledge some patient experiences have fallen below these standards, and we are very sorry for this.

“We continue to take any complaints extremely seriously, and we are committed to providing patient-centred care in line with national guidance and mental health legislation.

“I would encourage any family member or patient who might have any concerns or questions about the care provided to them at Skye House to contact us, we are keen to hear from you.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for the Scottish Government to make a parliamentary statement on the issue, with leader Alex Cole-Hamilton describing the allegations as “truly horrific”.

“I am particularly concerned that despite the Mental Health Commission attending the hospital on many occasions, their subsequent reports did not address the issues raised by these young people,” he said.

“Ministers must urgently clarify why this was not the case. They must also make sure that no current patient is at risk of cruelty or abuse, and that every patient is receiving only the highest quality of care.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “This story makes for distressing reading and our sincere sympathies go out to all those who have been affected.

“Patient safety is paramount, and while ministers cannot comment on individual cases, we are clear that all patients must be treated with the care and respect they deserve.

“The Scottish Government expects the board to take appropriate steps to ensure high quality, safe and appropriate healthcare.

“The board has assured us that a full review of the quality of care has been launched and an independent review is being commissioned.”

They added: “To provide further assurance, ministers have asked the Mental Welfare Commission and Healthcare Improvement Scotland to undertake a programme of joint visits to all three mental health adolescent inpatient units and the National Child Inpatient Unit, with a focus on care quality, patient safety and patient experience across these vital services.”