NHS mental health trust faces prosecution over safety breaches after three patient deaths

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is prosecuting the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust for alleged “avoidable harm” leading to three deaths. Last June, the trust was targeted for prosecution over the death of Christie Harnett, 17, who committed suicide while under its care. The case now involves two more undisclosed patient deaths. Breaching the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act constitutes a criminal offense in instances where avoidable harm occurs.