A TOP-LEVEL investigation is to be held into mental health services at Bolton General Hospital.

The news was announced by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust just hours after psychiatric nurse Shaun Darrock was cleared at Manchester Crown Court of attempting to murder patient Mr William Winnard.

But the judge described him as "totally unfit" to look after elderly people.

Darrock was found not guilty by a jury of trying to kill Mr Winnard by lying him face down on pillows, but pleaded guilty to ill treating another patient, Mr George Hunt, by slapping him on the head "Benny Hill style."

He was sentenced to nine months for that offence, but walked free because he had already served time in custody awaiting trial. He said nothing to reporters as he left court in tears with his family.

The health service probe will begin next month.

Mr John Brunt, chief executive of Bolton NHS Hospitals' NHS Trust, said today that they would "not hesitate" to take disciplinary action if necessary. He said: "We fully appreciate that the public needs to be satisfied that patients in our care are being well looked after, especially those particularly vulnerable patients receiving care for mental illness.

"In addition to our internal investigations, therefore, the Trust has invited three distinguished professionals in the mental health field to undertake an entirely independent review which will examine care, procedures and supervision."

But Mr Brunt's statement made no reference to the court verdict.

He added that the review panel's findings will be made public.

The chairman of the panel will be Mr Sam Hetherington, chief executive of the Avalon NHS Trust, Somerset.

The other two members are Dr Olla Junaid, consultant in old age psychiatry at City Hospital, Nottingham and Mrs Liz Whybourne, director of nursing at Riverside Mental Health Trust, London. The panel will be helped by Dr Jean Faugier, regional director of nursing, North West Regional Office of the NHS Executive.

Mr Brunt also praised the "vigilance" of managers and staff for launching an internal hospital inquiry which resulted in the Shaun Darrock case.

"The Trust is grateful to them for their professionalism and keenness to ensure that patient care is of the highest standard."

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