A university has removed its student nurses from placements at the Prestwich mental health hospital which is under investigation by police.

Students from the University of Salford are no longer working at the Edenfield Centre following disturbing reports of abuse by staff members against patients there.

Last week, a shocking Panorama programme was aired where an undercover reporter secretly filmed staff for three months and captured staff verbally abusing and bullying vulnerable patients.

The BBC said secret footage at the unit shows staff taunting patients in vulnerable situations, using inappropriate restraint - according to experts - and faking paperwork intended to ensure patient safety.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs Edenfield told Panorama it was taking the allegations “very seriously” and had taken “immediate actions to protect patient safety”.

A number of staff members have been suspended, and the trust said it was working with Greater Manchester Police, the independent healthcare regulator the Care Quality Commission and NHS England.

Now the University of Salford have taken measures to put students in new placements.

A University of Salford spokesperson said: “Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) provides placements for a number of universities and across professions.

“All of our students who were on placement or due to attend placement at the Edenfield Centre are now being moved to alternatives.

“The wellbeing of our students is our top priority, and we have been in touch with all affected students to offer support.”

 

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