Bereaved father calls for closure of mental health facility as rating drops to inadequate

‘Two years after Matthew’s death, Woodbourne Priory is still a danger to patients. It should be shut down’

A HOSPITAL has been downgraded to “inadequate” by the regulator as the bereaved family of a former patient called for it to be shut down.

The Priory Hospital Woodbourne, in Birmingham, was inspected in May after an inquest found neglect at the facility contributed to the death of personal trainer Matthew Caseby, 23.

Its overall Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating has dropped from “good” to “inadequate” following the visit, according to the regulator.

Mr Caseby was killed by a train after absconding from the private mental health facility in September 2020.

An inquest in April this year heard he had been able to leave the hospital, where he was an Nhs-funded patient, by climbing over a courtyard fence.

The jury ruled Mr Caseby was left “inappropriately unattended” for several minutes before he scaled the 6.5fthigh barrier. The hospital is now facing a criminal probe over his death.

Craig Howarth, CQC head of hospital inspections for mental health services, said management at the facility had failed to respond fully to information from the coroner’s inquiry. “It was concerning that at our inspection, staff couldn’t directly observe patients in all outside areas of the wards without physically escorting them,” he said. Richard Caseby, Mr Caseby’s father, said: “It is shocking that two years after Matthew’s death and five months after a damning judgment of neglect at his inquest, the Woodbourne Priory hospital is still a danger to patients.

“The place should be shut down before anyone else is hurt there.”

In June the CQC said it was conducting a criminal investigation into Mr Caseby’s death, which remains under way.

Following the initial inspection in May, the CQC received more “information of concern” about the hospital, which was unrelated to the prevention of future deaths report published by the coroner. This prompted a second inspection in August.

Mr Howarth said more work was needed to address “some remaining environmental issues”. The findings of the August inspection will be published in due course, he added.

A hospital spokesman said: “We are confident in the additional, comprehensive work undertaken to implement new patient safety processes and enhance existing ones.”