In a letter to commissioners following enforcement action in December, NHS England said it did not ‘have adequate assurance that patient safety is improving at the rate it needs to and our concerns about patient safety remain'.

An NHS England spokesperson said: ‘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.

‘We recognise the anxiety this will cause for everyone involved and will do everything in our power to ensure alternative placements are managed safely, sensitively and efficiently for all patients and families. In the meantime, we are providing 24/7 enhanced oversight at the site until every patient has been moved as well as supporting the sites helping to provide alternative care to ensure it is in patients best interests.'

St Andrew's is also the subject of a police investigation. Ten staff members were arrested and bailed on charges, including wilful neglect and ill treatment, in February.

St Andrew's Healthcare also operates sites in Birmingham and North Benfleet, Essex, which are not currently affected by the NHS England action.

A St Andrew's Healthcare spokesperson said: ‘We note the letter that NHS England has published setting out its intention to find alternative placements for inpatients at St Andrew's Northampton hospital.

‘Patient wellbeing is our priority, and we are working with NHS to understand next steps to support patients and manage any change to their care.

‘In the meantime, we will continue to deliver rapid and far reaching improvements to patient care across every ward in Northampton, supported by NHS England.'