Parents Describe Mental Health Unit as “Like a Prison” Following Son’s Death

The parents of Liam McGenity, who died by suicide at a private mental health facility, have characterized the hospital as “like a prison,” a sentiment echoed by current patients who state “it’s not changed.” Mr. McGenity was discovered deceased at St Mary’s Hospital in Warrington in 2021, a facility operated by Elysium Healthcare. An inquest conducted earlier in the year determined that neglect played a role in the 29-year-old’s death. Peter McGenity, Liam’s father, stated that his son had expressed a desire for transfer to an alternative unit, and he carries the “guilt” of not having facilitated this move. He remarked, “We think of him every hour.” He further added, “We’ve never, ever, ever, had any anger towards him, just, love, sympathy and guilt because we didn’t get him out soon enough.” Elysium Healthcare asserted that the concerns brought to light during the inquest have since been resolved at the facility. The family holds the view that the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the health regulator, ought to have been cognizant of the hospital’s deficiencies. They anticipate that a government commitment to reform the CQC will lead to better outcomes for other patients. Following an interim report in July that indicated its shortcomings, the CQC has received instructions to concentrate more significantly on essential services such as hospitals. Liam McGenity, a skilled musician with a first-class honours degree, experienced a mental health crisis four years prior to his death. He was detained under the Mental Health Act, and his family had hoped he would receive the necessary care. However, they indicated that his subsequent placement in an NHS bed within a private mental health unit proved unhelpful. His father recounted, “We were sold this private hospital, four-bed ward.” He elaborated, “That turned out to be a converted ward within a medium secure unit which was completely against where Liam should be, and that was picked up by Liam’s psychologist during the inquest, because it was like a prison.” During the inquest, it was revealed that a staff member, whose duty was to closely monitor Liam McGenity at the time of his death, was instead reading outside his room. The CQC stated that upon being informed of the incident, it engaged directly with the provider to ascertain the details surrounding Liam’s death and to determine if additional regulatory measures were necessary. Karen Knapton of the CQC commented, “Of the ten inspections of St Mary’s Hospital that have taken place since 2016, CQC has taken enforcement action at six, including issuing warning notices.” She added, “CQC regulatory action helps to drive improvements and ensures people receive safe care.” She concluded, “The service at its last inspection was rated as good.” Elysium Healthcare reported that in the three years subsequent to Liam’s death, “detailed action plans have been fully embedded to address the issues highlighted during the inquest.” Mr. McGenity, however, contests this claim. He stated, “We’ve got patients and people telling us it’s not changed.” He expressed, “That makes me really angry. There are vulnerable people who are not getting the improvements and the lessons learned to prevent a repeat.” He affirmed his resolve to assist other patients, remarking, “If we could do something to save one life that would be great if we can make change to help others more than that, that would be just fantastic.” The Department of Health and Social Care indicated that a “healthy” NHS necessitates “strong regulation” and that it is undertaking reforms of the CQC to ensure it is “fit for purpose.” It described the mental health system as “outdated” and as “letting down some of the most vulnerable people in our society.” A spokeswoman further stated, “We are bringing the Mental Health Act in line with the 21st Century, so patients are treated with dignity and respect, and the public are kept safe.”