RUSSELLS Hall hospital has been cleared of illegally restraining patients after allegations from workers turned whistleblowers.

An inquiry by Dudley Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards concluded there was no evidence of unlawful actions at the hospital and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust acted with openness and transparency throughout the investigation.

The conclusions support findings from an investigation by West Midlands Police which found no evidence of criminality in relation to the detention of patients.

Paula Clark, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust chief executive, said: “We are delighted that a robust review carried out by the Dudley Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards into allegations of unlawful restraint of patients at The Dudley Group has found that in every case, the restraint was necessary, proportionate and in the best interests of the patient.

“We have always strenuously denied the claims published in local and national media, and we hope the reviews and investigations can reassure everyone that the welfare and safety of our patients, particularly vulnerable patients in our care, is our top priority.”

The probe by a panel put together by the Boards, which had members from a variety of organisations including Dudley Council, Age UK, West Midlands Police and Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group, was triggered by newspaper allegations from the hospital’s former head of security, John Marchant.

Mr Marchant claimed vulnerable patients were routinely forced to stay in their rooms, security guards were so concerned about restraint procedures they warned they were illegal and, on one occasion, refused to restrain a child, and staff were making excessive restraint requests.

In January 2014 the Care Quality Commission also received an anonymous complaint about an elderly patient being restrained.

According to the Trust there were approximately 170 restraint incidents involving physical contact since 2010.

Although the six-month review found no evidence of unlawful restraint it recommended, following a Care Quality Commission inspection, there should be more training for security staff in dementia and mental capacity and associated issues while ward staff “could also benefit from knowing when, and when not, to call security officers.”

Mr Marchant and fellow whistleblower David Ore, a former hospital security manager, were both been dismissed from their jobs at Russells Hall

The latest report findings were rubbished by the whistleblowers, Mr Ore, he said: “Their report is in again our opinion at least a whitewash and cover up regarding what we knew was going on, the stance we took, and the real reason why we both had our employment terminated.”