Former patients of Bushey Fields Hospital in Dudley have raised alarms about worsening conditions at the facility, with some alleging incidents of neglect, inadequate staff, and safety concerns.
Wil Vincent, a university lecturer and founder of a peer support group for individuals struggling with mental health, described his experiences during multiple stays at the hospital in 2023 and 2024. Vincent, who was recently attacked by another patient, claimed the incident was indicative of broader issues at the hospital. During the altercation, his head was injured, and shards of broken glass were left unattended for a week, exacerbating safeguarding concerns.
Vincent also alleged that drugs were being smuggled into the wards, citing a problem where patients would “cheek” medication to distribute to others. He further criticized the hospital’s environment, claiming that patients were often ignored by staff and left with little to do, especially on weekends.
“While some staff members are excellent, the overall environment is chaotic, and it seems like Black Country Healthcare Trust is in disarray,” Vincent said. “The treatment I experienced is a far cry from the care patients deserve.”
The Black Country Healthcare Trust, which operates the facility, is facing increasing pressure after a series of negative staff surveys and a history of poor morale within its ranks. The results of a new staff survey, which is expected soon, are likely to add to the mounting concerns.
In a statement, the trust acknowledged some of the issues raised by former patients, noting that it had partially upheld complaints regarding patient safety and staff performance. It also emphasized its commitment to improving care, highlighting efforts to recruit additional staff and reduce reliance on agency workers. The trust has also invested in a £2.3 million redesign of the Kinver Ward, where patients from the now-closed Wrekin Ward have been transferred.
Despite these efforts, former patients like Andrew Potter are unconvinced. Potter, who was a patient at Bushey Fields Hospital during a crisis period, described a troubling incident in which he was able to step over staff members who were allegedly “asleep in the corridor” while supposed to be monitoring him for self-harm risk. He said, “Every time I went to the toilet, they were just asleep. You could tiptoe past them.”
The concerns raised by Vincent and Potter relate primarily to the Wrekin and Clent wards at Bushey Fields. Vincent also expressed concerns about staff members feeling too intimidated to raise safety issues with management, further perpetuating a culture of fear and silence within the facility.
In response to these claims, the NHS trust acknowledged that while it could not comment on individual cases, it had upheld parts of the complaints brought to light by the BBC. However, it clarified that no formal complaint had been lodged by Potter. The trust reiterated its commitment to providing high-quality care and noted the ongoing recruitment and training efforts aimed at addressing these issues.
The trust’s commitment to improvement follows an inspection in February 2023, which revealed significant safeguarding issues and recommended urgent improvements. Concerns raised included a lack of individualized care, inadequate staff training, and premature discharges, all of which have been echoed in recent patient testimonies.
In a letter to staff, Black Country Healthcare Trust’s Chief Executive Marsha Foster acknowledged the ongoing challenges and expressed her commitment to addressing the issues raised. She also emphasized that the results of the upcoming staff survey underscored the need for continued improvements in trust values, leadership, and staff accountability.
“We know we need to do better, and these latest results make that even clearer,” Foster wrote, urging staff to work together in overcoming the challenges facing the trust.
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