Exclusive

Scandal-hit NHS Trust 'allows patient to bang head for hours' despite failings leading to death of three teenage girls

25 November 2022, 09:20 | Updated: 25 November 2022, 11:21

WARNING contains distressing images

Desperate father fears his daughter could die at scandal-hit NHS Trust
Desperate father fears his daughter could die at scandal-hit NHS Trust. Picture: Family handout
Charlotte Lynch

By Charlotte Lynch

A desperate father has told LBC he fears his daughter could die, as she is left to repeatedly self harm in a hospital run by a scandal-hit NHS trust, where failings led to the tragic deaths of three teenage girls.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The heart-breaking allegations are chillingly similar to the cases of Christie Harnett, 17, Nadia Sharif, 17, and Emily Moore, 18, who were able to harm themselves before taking their own lives in the care of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust in County Durham.

The father claims his daughter is left for up to six hours to bang her head at Lanchester Road Hospital in County Durham, where Ms Moore took her own life in February 2020 following several failings.

A staff member has also been accused of falling asleep on "line of sight" duty, where they are supposed to watch patients to ensure their safety.

LBC has been sent an image, said to have been taken in June 2020, although the Trust say there is no record of the incident.

A desperate father has spoken of his fears for his daughter who he claims is able to repeatedly harm herself
A desperate father has spoken of his fears for his daughter who he claims is able to repeatedly harm herself. Picture: LBC

The mental health unit is operated by the disgraced Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, where earlier this month, a damning investigation found "multifaceted and systemic" failures had led to the deaths of three teenagers, including 18-year-old Emily Moore, who took her own life in Lanchester Road.

Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, all 17, also died in the nearby West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough, where Emily had previously been a patient.

Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, both 17, and Emily Moore, 18, died under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, both 17, and Emily Moore, 18, died under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. Picture: Family Handout

A review published on November 2, found all three girls were able to self harm and attempt suicide due to a catalogue of failings, including understaffed wards and inadequate assessment of risks. 

There are now fears those failings are continuing after the father of a patient at Lanchester Road, who's identity we are protecting, told LBC his daughter is "left for hours on end to bang her head".

He said: "She's just left basically all day with no interaction with staff whatsoever. When she does have incidents and she's banging her head or self harming, she is left for hours on end to literally bang her head.

"It's not just one or two minutes - it could be two to six hours."

His daughter, now in her early 20's, was first sectioned at the age of 13 and was previously in the care of the Trust's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Read more: NHS doctor told junior GP she 'looked like Beyonce' and insisted on rating her work clothes

Read more: One in five NHS trusts branded ‘red’ for baby death rates

He told LBC: "It's heart-rendering to go and visit your daughter and all of a sudden there are marks, lumps and bruises on her head."

When asked what he thought would happen if this was allowed to continue, he said: "the way things are - and I know it's horrible to say - it can be death.

"I'm really scared for other children going in to these places, and for my own daughter. I just don't think they will ever change the way they do things in the NHS".

His daughter was admitted to the hospital in August and official complaints have been raised about her care. But he claims no action has been taken as a result.

He told LBC: "It never seems to go any further, it just doesn't. I don't know why. The hospital turn around and say 'sorry' and that tends to be alright for them, but it isn't alright. It's been proven by the three families who have lost their daughters - it's not alright."

The hospital has been rated as 'requires improvement' by the Care Quality Commission, who are currently undertaking another inspection.

A father said his daughter was "left for hours on end to bang her head".
A father said his daughter was "left for hours on end to bang her head". Picture: LBC

In October the CQC found wards caring for adults with autism and learning difficulties at Lanchester Road Hospital were inadequate.

Emily Moore, 18, took her life in a bathroom on an adult ward at Lanchester Road Hospital in February 2020, and the review in to the circumstances surrounding her death found a failure to address ligature risks in her accommodation.

It also revealed her parents concerns had been ignored and complaints were not investigated.

Emily's father David Moore told LBC the Trust risks "losing another life."

He said: "Nothing seems to improve at all. It's cruel and inhumane - it shouldn't be happening in a place of compare and compassion. It needs to stop and it needs to stop now."

Mr Moore said the case highlighted by LBC is similar to his daughter's and "a few years on, things haven't changed at all. She is still being harmed when she's supposed to have care. She's still being, for want of a better word, abused. It shouldn't happen in a hospital. Tees Esk and Wear Valley need to do something about it now, there's no tomorrow - it's now. Or you'll lose another life."

In response to the findings of the reports, Brent Kilmurray, chief executive of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the trust, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the unacceptable failings in the care of Christie, Nadia and Emily which these reports have clearly identified.

“The girls and their families deserved better while under our care. I know everyone at the trust offers their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the girls’ family and friends for their tragic loss.

“We must do everything in our power to ensure these failings can never be repeated.

“However, we know that our actions must match our words. We accept in full the recommendations made in the reports – in fact the overwhelming majority of them have already been addressed by us where applicable to our services.”

In response to concerns highlighted by LBC a spokesperson for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are committed to listening to patients, families and carers from the first time they come into contact with the Trust – to work alongside them to create a positive relationship and support their loved ones care.

“We develop personalised care plans, together with patients and their families, focusing on the needs of the individual and using evidence based practice. This includes working with patients to understand why they may self-harm and then finding the best way to support them in the least restrictive way possible.

“We would encourage the family to get in touch and talk to the care team about the concerns they have raised.”

If you are affected by any of the issues in this story you can call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours

Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19

If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts