Support worker Sheryl of Bolton and nurse Sara Coleman of Stretford were charged with 14 counts and five counts of ill-treatment, respectively. They were bailed ahead of appearing at Manchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Detective inspector Julie Adams from the Bury district said: ‘Since 2022, we have been actively investigating several allegations relating to the The Edenfield Centre, following a period of undercover filming at the mental health unit.

‘We have now charged two suspects in relation to this, and they will appear at court in the new year.

‘Since this incident was brought to our attention, we have been working with partner agencies to ensure that patients were safeguarded and to investigate criminality.'

Karen Howell, chief executive at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) said: ‘On behalf of GMMH, we fully recognise and are deeply sorry for the failings of the past. We are particularly thinking of those service users and their families who have been directly impacted by these failings. We can only imagine how this latest news must be affecting them.

‘Over the past eighteen months, under the trust's new leadership, we have undertaken extensive work to significantly improve GMMH's adult forensic services. We have done this with our service users and their families to ensure these changes meet their needs.

‘We have co-operated fully with GMP throughout their investigation. As soon as we became aware of the allegations, the two individuals were suspended pending internal investigation, and we can confirm they no longer work for the trust. We are unable to comment further whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.'