Review into Southern Health

In February 2020, NHS Improvement published an investigation report after Nigel Pascoe QC independently reviewed the historical cases of five people who died in Southern Health’s care between 2011 and 2015. The report recommended a second stage process to look at how the Trust has improved in the intervening years and the further developments we have planned.

This second stage took the form of a series of virtual public hearings which were held in March and April 2021. Staff from our Trust provided evidence and responded to questions from a panel of experts. Patients and carers were also invited to share their experiences of care at Southern Health.

The second stage report has been published along with an action plan from Southern Health addressing the recommendations. 

Ron Shields, Chief Executive of Southern Health said:

“This second report brings important recommendations to help us provide the best possible care to patients, carers and families. I thank the panel and everyone who contributed.

“On behalf of the Trust, I apologise again unreservedly to the families affected by the tragedies of 2011-15 highlighted in Mr Pascoe’s first report. While we focus on improving services now and in the future, we do not forget or diminish the failings of the past.

“As the report acknowledges, the Trust has made significant improvements since then - but we know there is much more for us to do, in partnership with service users and their families, to get things right first time, every time.

“Making these changes remains our absolute priority and we will now produce a detailed plan to reflect the report’s recommendations, showing where we have already made changes and how we will make the further improvements necessary.”