Safety concerns persist at Edinburgh's Melville Unit, the only in-patient facility for teenagers with severe mental health issues, sparking fresh worries almost a year after initial problems were highlighted. A recent inspection by Scotland's Mental Welfare Commission has revealed that while improvements have been made, further action is required to safeguard both young patients and staff from violent outbursts.
The Melville Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People provides care for 12-17 year olds struggling with complex mental health issues such as eating disorders, depression, and psychosis. Inspectors noted during their March visit that some youngsters were experiencing extreme stress and distress, which occasionally led to violent or aggressive behaviour towards staff and other patients. Some parents reported witnessing their child being physically attacked by others or seeing staff assaulted.
Despite ongoing concerns, inspectors did acknowledge notable improvements since the previous inspection. Care plans for children have been enhanced and multidisciplinary team working has improved. Young people praised some staff members, describing them as 'compassionate' and 'positive'. However, issues surrounding restraint persist – particularly in relation to nasogastric feeding, where a narrow tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach for nutritional support.
NHS Lothian's focus on reducing restraint has seen an 84% decrease, but inspectors stressed that improvements are still needed in accurately reporting incidents and ensuring all alternative options have been explored. The commission urged unit managers to implement comprehensive risk management strategies to maintain safety.
Jillian Torrens, Services Director for Royal Edinburgh Hospital and associated services at NHS Lothian, reassured that the safety of patients and staff remains their top priority. She confirmed that NHS Lothian takes all concerns 'extremely seriously' and is working on a focused improvement plan to strengthen safeguarding processes.