A MAJOR investigation has revealed that depressed old folk are being treated alongside drug addicts, alcoholics and the seriously mentally ill in Bolton's troubled psychiatric unit.

And there are claims that illegal drugs - particularly amphetamines - are being used by patients.

Independent experts called in after serious, separate allegations of mistreatment of patients in the unit, have uncovered a catalogue of concerns. A team of four health professionals from different parts of the country spent December in the unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital. They spoke to staff, relatives and friends of patients and today Bolton Hospitals Trust published their findings.

John Brunt, Trust chief executive, said today: "It is carefully explained to patients that illicit drugs are not to be used in the hospital. It is not a prison and we cannot forcibly search people.

"It is a question of protecting an individual's civil liberties," he added. The report goes on to criticise over-large wards and the "inappropriate" mix of elderly patients, young people with drug problems and patients with other disorders.

It calls on Bolton Hospitals Trust to increase the number of fully trained staff, particularly on the night shifts and urges hospital bosses to speed up recruitment of consultants. Four of the nine posts are currently vacant.

The "bureaucratic" style of nursing is highlighted as a concern. Staff complained of a "blame culture" which resulted in unfair and unjustified disciplinary action being taken in some cases. Mr Brunt accepted criticism of conditions on Russell 2 wards, but pointed out that many of the recommendation's contained in the report will cost extra money.

He said: "Although the report does not reveal major deficiencies, it does point to a significant number of areas of concern. Some will require additional funding and although the Trust has received a substantial amount of money for community psychiatric services in recent years, this report points to a clear need for further investment in in-patient services."

In its concluding comments the panel, chaired by Mr Sam Hetherington, chief executive of Avalon NHS Trust, says: "The panel was aware that many of the issues raised in their report could equally be applied to other psychiatric services throughout the country. "The panel has made a number of recommendations, some of which require a considerable amount of work, but they are strongly of the opinion that the implementation of these recommendations, together with the efforts of the many dedicated, hard working staff in the Trust, can bring about necessary improvements in the delivery of care and the confidence of the people who use the service."

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