£160,000 fine after patient fell from roof

The largest mental health trust in the country has been ordered to pay £160,000 after a patient was left with “life-changing” injuries following a fall from a rooftop.

Southern Health pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment, and failing to assess risk to patients at Melbury Lodge at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester.

It was fined £125,000 at Basingstoke magistrates’ court and also ordered to pay £36,000 in court costs and a £170 victim surcharge.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates all NHS trusts, brought the case against the Trust.