Hastings hospital at centre of police inquiry will reopen (From The Argus)

Hastings hospital at centre of police inquiry will reopen

2:20pm Saturday 10th April 2010 in

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A mental hospital at the centre of a police inquiry has been allowed to let patients back in.

Three patients killed themselves while under the care of the Woodlands Unit in Hastings, prompting Sussex Police to launch an investigation into possible corporate manslaughter at the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust which runs it.

The Woodlands unit was closed down after Sussex Police sergeant Richard Bexhell, 49, John Blair, 40, and Suzanna Anley, 35, all took their own lives.

Another of the trust’s patients Michael Stevens killed himself at the Meadowfield hospital in Worthing and The Argus has now learned that since the police investigation became public, a 27-year-old Brighton man's death at Millview Hospital on March 9 is also being investigated.

Staff at the Woodlands Unit will be taught how to identify suicidal tendencies in patients and half a million pounds has been spent redecorating the wards ready for the July reopening.

Chief executive Lisa Rodrigues said: “We have listened hard to local service users and looked at best practice nationally. As a result we are now using the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) programme which will give staff additional skills to be able to recognise, intervene effectively and help people at high risk of suicide”.

Other measures to improve the unit will include new modern matrons will also be appointed, a consultant psychiatrist will be put in charge of acute admissions, the crisis and home treatment team will be moved into the unit to provide a seamless service between inpatient and home care.