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NHS Trust failing to protect patients from risk of harm, says watchdog

A scandal-hit NHS trust where a teenager drowned in the bath is still failing to protect patients from risk of harm, a watchdog has found.

The health secretary ordered the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to carry out a report following problems at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust's chairman Mike Petter resigned "with great sadness" hours before the review was published.

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Southern Health governor's resignation criticises Trust

Connor Sparrowhawk died after having an epileptic seizure in the bath Credit: JusticeforLB/PA Wire

A governor at a scandal-hit NHS trust where a teenager drowned in a bath resigned on Friday because his council has achieved "nothing at all".

Mark Aspinall, a governor at Southern Health, accused colleagues of being "apathetic" and "intransigent", and said the Trust's council was "weak or unable to act".

Mr Aspinall, whose resignation follows chairman Mike Petter's resignation, described himself as "hamstrung" by the "constant barrage of critical news" hitting the Trust.

"I don't feel that the Council has achieved anything at all in the period that I have been a member", he wrote.

"I had hoped that we would be able to work well together to deliver for our patients and communities but sadly, there is more drum-banging, soap-boxing and agenda pushing taking place than anything else".

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