The September 2025 inspection was carried out before NHS England took the decision to relocate 287 patients to alternative facilities this month and the opening of a regulatory compliance case against operator, St Andrew's Healthcare.

Ceri Morris-Williams, CQC deputy director of mental health in the Midlands, said: ‘The ward culture of openness and safety was inconsistent, and allegations of abuse by staff still remained the highest proportion of safeguarding incidents.'

The CQC imposed a restriction on new admissions to the service in July 2025 which remains in place.

St Andrew's closed its wards for older people with mental health problems in November 2025.

The inspection of services for people with acquired brain injury found repeated incidents of unexplained injuries, prolonged restraints and gaps in documentation.

Six cases of staff asleep in forensic inpatient and secure wards during enhanced observations were also found.

A St Andrew's spokesperson said: ‘We accept the CQC's conclusions and are sorry that care at our Northampton hospital has not always met the high standards patients deserve.

‘Since the inspection four months ago, we have made significant changes across every ward. Following NHS England's decision to seek alternative placements for patients, we will continue to drive improvements so that, for the time they are with us, patients receive safe and compassionate care.'