The NHS Is Corrupt- i Was Raped

-Michelle Torez, in reference to Roycroft incident

Gosforth's Roycroft Unit staff are

sacked
TWO members of staff at scandal-hit psychiatric unit the Roycroft Unit, which is a clinic for troubled
youngsters at St Nicholas’s Hospital in Gosforth, have been sacked.

Allegations of psychological abuse of patients at the Roycroft Unit, a clinic for some of the region’s
most troubled teenagers, emerged in October.

It is said carers mocked patients and branded vulnerable young people with derogatory nicknames,
including “Crusty”, “Spaniel” and “Princess Fiona”.

Seven support staff from Ward 3 were initially suspended, which were made up of a mixture of
qualified nurses and support staff.

It is today revealed two staff, a support worker and a senior member of staff, have lost their jobs, one of
whom is said to have “hanged” a teddy bear to taunt one teen.

Disciplinary hearings are expected to continue through into new year.

Five staff remain suspended amid allegations they failed to report the abuse.

Health chiefs are said to be looking at hundreds of hours of CCTV evidence, some of which could
eventually be passed to police to form a criminal investigation.

A spokesman for Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust expects
high standards of behaviour from employees and we have a policy of zero tolerance for any
inappropriate or potentially abusive behaviour.

"As a result where we consider these standards may not have been met our agreed disciplinary
procedures have been instigated and these remain ongoing.”

A source said: “The feeling on the ground is very clear.

“What went on at the Roycroft is disgusting and those who have done these terrible things should be
exposed and dealt with.

“Ultimate responsibility must rest with the people who managed these wards and allowed such
behaviour to continue. That is certainly how we feel.”

It was also revealed police have been called in to help staff at the unit since the investigation was
launched.

The trust will have further questions to answer when the internal probe is concluded.

A report by its service improvement team was compiled in March 2009 highlighting “cultural issues” at
the Roycroft which needed to be addressed.
Problems included staff “feeling intimidated and unable to have a voice”.

The report came prior to the death of Sam Willis, 17, who drowned during a supervised day trip to
Whitby.

Although no staff were held responsible, the trust carried out a six-week investigation which, an
inquest into the teenager’s death heard, resulted in new policies at the clinic.

The trust’s spokesman added the organisation was renewing its efforts to support staff in the wake of
the latest probe.

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He said: “We take our duty of care very seriously and our first priority will always be to do all we can
to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff during this difficult period.

“At the start of the investigation we immediately implemented a range of measures to support our staff
on the Roycroft unit which have, and continue to include, a counselling service, group and one-to-one
supervision, training and access to occupational health.

“We are doing our utmost to ensure that our staff continue to feel supported and valued and we
continue to offer them every level of support possible. As in any health environment we work very
closely with our colleagues at Northumbria Police who support our front line staff when appropriate.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-c1X8PpwcI