The Stage 2 Report following a Review into Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust is published today. The Review was chaired by Nigel Pascoe QC with three Panel Members. In their conclusions they found Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust to be on a critical journey. They acknowledged there had been some real progress, but that there are a number of fundamental practical changes which should be made. They said, the sooner they happen, the better.

The Report also carries throughout clear indications of the views of the Panel on specific issues and key themes. They follow extracts from the evidence received during six-weeks of public hearings earlier this year. The Panel’s views, they said, may also contribute in part to debate by other Trusts considering change.

The Panel have emphasised that this was never an investigative procedure and they do not criticise any manager or clinician at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in personal terms. Indeed, they said they have rejected that approach entirely – concerned and caring people should not be slandered unfairly and nowhere is that more relevant than in the National Health Service. However, they reiterated that there are obvious critical reforms which are needed for service users, carers and family members. The Panel strongly hopes that their recommendations will enable Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust to get it right first time.

The Chair has issued a press statement and does not intend to make any further public statement.

Chair, Nigel Pascoe QC

Panel Secretary, Alice Scott

To view the stage two report in full please click here. For a copy of the extracts of the stage two report featuring the executive summary, recommendations and conclusions please click here.