The move comes after St Andrew's submitted a serious injury report in August 2025 concerning potential mistreatment of patients at the charity's Northampton site which it had referred to the police for investigation.

In March 2026, the commission opened a regulatory compliance case into St Andrew's Healthcare after NHS England announced the removal of almost 300 patients.

The inquiry will cover:

• the extent to which the current trustees are engaging and co-operating with relevant regulators, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS England
• the adequacy of governance processes which currently oversee the charity, and the extent to which these can address ongoing concerns, including those related to safeguarding, the provision of care and financial oversight
• the future viability/status of the charity and issues related to any proposed changes to its structure, objects and functions
• the extent of any reputational harm caused to the charity.

A St Andrew's Healthcare spokesperson said: ‘St Andrew's Healthcare is working collaboratively with the Charity Commission, which has now opened an inquiry following the charity reporting potential care issues last summer. 

‘Our priority is to ensure safe care for all patients and to drive rapid improvements in quality. A detailed action plan is already underway, overseen with the support of NHS England, and driven by new leadership at board, executive and clinical levels.'