Health officials have ordered 287 inpatients to be removed from the Northampton facility operated by St Andrew’s Healthcare, following a series of police investigations and regulatory concerns about the quality of care.
The move was confirmed in a letter issued by NHS England on Monday, instructing local health authorities to begin planning the relocation or discharge of patients currently receiving treatment at the site.
Safety Concerns Persist
In the letter, NHS England said it remained deeply concerned about patient welfare at the facility.
“We still do not have adequate assurance that patient safety is improving at the rate it needs to,” officials wrote.
“Our concerns about patient safety remain; we therefore must act now to ensure patients receive the care and treatment they deserve.”
Patients are expected to be transferred to other hospitals across the NHS network or discharged where appropriate.
Series of Police Investigations
The decision follows a series of investigations by Northamptonshire Police into allegations involving staff at the hospital.
In January, reports revealed that more than a dozen staff members had been arrested as part of multiple police probes related to alleged abuse and neglect.
One investigation involved a corporate manslaughter inquiry following the death of a teenager in October 2024. That investigation has since been dropped.
A separate investigation was launched after another patient died in February 2025. Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter and alleged wilful neglect by a care worker.
Four people were later released without further action, while one suspect remains on bail in connection with alleged wilful neglect.
Allegations of Abuse and Ill Treatment
Additional arrests were made in July 2025 when eight care workers were detained on suspicion of wilful neglect and ill treatment of patients.
They were later released on bail pending further investigation.
Earlier reporting also revealed that one of the arrested staff members was questioned over an allegation of rape involving a patient.
Regulator Action
The hospital had already been under scrutiny from the care regulator Care Quality Commission.
Following an inspection in July 2025, the regulator imposed restrictions on new patient admissions to the Northampton facility.
Despite improvement efforts, NHS England said the changes had not progressed quickly enough to address safety concerns.
Major Mental Health Provider
St Andrew’s Healthcare is a registered charity providing inpatient mental health services across hospitals in Northampton, Birmingham, and Essex.
The organisation received around £206 million in NHS contracts during 2023–24, with the Northampton hospital acting as one of the country’s largest providers of adult mental health beds.
At the site, the average cost of a bed is approximately £685 per day, with the NHS paying millions annually to place patients there who cannot be treated in their local areas.
NHS Response
An NHS England spokesperson said the decision was taken to protect patients.
“The NHS is taking action to remove patients from the St Andrew’s Northampton site to protect their welfare, given the lack of improvements and unacceptable issues identified,” the spokesperson said.
Officials said enhanced 24-hour oversight will remain in place at the hospital until all patients have been safely relocated.
Provider Responds
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s Healthcare said the organisation was reviewing the implications of the decision.
“We note the letter from NHS England. We are working through the implications for staff and our patients,” the spokesperson said.
“We look forward to working with NHS England on a long-term plan to support patients.”
