Mental health unit care workers charged after BBC Panorama probe

Two care workers have been accused of abusing four people in a mental health unit that was the subject of an undercover BBC investigation.

The Panorama programme, broadcast in 2022, revealed patients were humiliated and bullied at the Edenfield Center in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

Support worker Sheryl Price, 45, of Eldergreen Close, Bolton, faces 14 charges, while nurse Sara Coleman, 42, of Mitford Street, Stretford, is charged with five charges.

They were both released on bail and will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on March 25.

An undercover Panorama reporter filmed staff at the Edenfield Centre, one of the UK’s largest mental health hospitals, inappropriately using restraints and seclusion of patients for long periods in small, bare rooms.

Staff were seen swearing at patients and occasionally slapping or pinching them.

Some workers were made redundant after the BBC’s findings were published.

The program sparked an independent report which found Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust repeatedly missed opportunities to act on concerns and had a culture of “suppressing bad news”.

Despite some improvements being made, the trust was once again rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year.

Criticisms included issues with patient safety and pressures on staff; Some still felt unable to voice their concerns.

The Edenfield site has since been rebranded as Riverside Centre.