Police are investigating the death of a girl who died following an ‘incident’ at a mental health hospital for young people.
The girl had been a patient at the Huntercombe Hospital in Taplow, a mental health hospital for children and young people.
Following an incident that took place at the hospital on February 12, the patient was taken to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, where she passed away on February 14.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has confirmed that Thames Valley Police is investigating the circumstances of the death.
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Karen Bennett-Wilson, the CQC’s head of hospital inspection, said: “We can confirm that we were notified of the death of a young person at Huntercombe Hospital Maidenhead.
“As this case is currently being investigated by Thames Valley Police, it would be inappropriate for CQC to comment at this time.
“We are looking into the circumstances of the death in line with our incident guidance and will consider any action we may wish to take once this is concluded.”
The circumstances of what took place at the hospital are not yet clear, but psychological support is being offered to patients and staff on the same ward as the girl who passed away.
The hospital is part of the Active Care Group, which operates health facilities in various locations around the UK.
A spokeswoman for Active Care Group said: “We can confirm that one of our young patients tragically passed away at the John Radcliffe hospital on Monday 14 February 2022.
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“A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to this tragedy has been launched and we will cooperate with any other investigations.
“Expert psychological support is being provided to individual patients and staff on the ward. Our sincere condolences go to all those affected.”
The hospital, based in Huntercombe Lane South, treats children and young people aged 12 to 18 who have been detained under the mental health act, who have eating disorders and who have other mental health conditions.
The hospital was rated inadequate by the CQC following its most recent inspection in December 2020.
During the inspection, the CQC found that its child and adolescent mental heath wards were inadequate. It also rated the hospital’s safety services as inadequate.
Thames Valley Police has been approached for comment.
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