Mental health unit must be shut down

THE best thing that could happen to the Carseview Centre would be if it was razed to the ground.

The details of a leaked report into the conditions at the Dundee mental health unit are nothing short of horrifying.

Patients were restrained using dangerous and “life-threatening” techniques.

Vulnerable people who needed care and attention were instead subjected to bullying and unsafe practices by untrained staff.

The internal inquiry even found evidence staff pinned down patients for as long as an hour and 45 minutes.

Restraint is supposed to be a last resort in these types of situation but the picture painted of Carseview is it was the norm.

And the suspicion remains that this would all still be going on if it wasn’t for the brave actions of whistle-blowers.

The scandal is another serious headache for Health Secretary Jeane Freeman who has an overflowing in-tray.

It’s vital the SNP minister ensures the complete report is published as soon as possible and that its recommendations are delivered in full.

The case raises extremely grave questions about mental health provision in Scotland. Steps must be taken to ensure these types of failures are not being repeated elsewhere.

But as far as Carseview is concerned, it is now more than clear it is too far gone to be fixed.

The families of suicide victims are demanding the facility is shut down so new mental health services that are fit for purpose can be introduced instead. That is now the only possible course of action. CLOSE SUICIDE SCANDAL MENTAL HEALTH UNIT NOW – PAGE 10