NORTH Ayrshire health chiefs have given a ringing endorsement of a specialist mental health facility in Irvine after a BBC investigation raised concerns over the quality of care provided to patients.

The 'Disclosure: Locked in the Hospital' documentary, which aired on August 15, featured several families with relatives who have been living in secure units for years amid claims that they had been "left to rot".

Teenager Fraser Malcolm was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and moved into a psychiatric ward at Woodland View Hospital, where he has remained for the past 18 months.

The programme told how Fraser, who has a rare genetic condition, a learning disability and limited speech, started being aggressive towards his family two years ago, when he was 17.

After his family asked social work and the police for help, they were told Fraser would be sent to hospital for a short time to help him stabilise.

Mum, Karen, told the show that she is terrified her son is trapped in the facility permanently.

She said Fraser had deteriorated physically and mentally during his stay at Woodland View, adding: "They've taken him on a massive journey on a cocktail of drugs."

Woodland View opened in May 2016 within the grounds of Ayrshire Central Hospital and has more than 130 mental health inpatient beds, as well as 10 beds for learning disability assessment and treatment, and 60 beds for general physical health long-term conditions.

In a public statement issued following the documentary, bosses at NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the local health and social care partnership (HSCP) said they were "aware of some recent negative publicity with regards to Woodland View and the quality of care delivered".

Caroline Cameron, director of the HSCP, said: "Without exception, the feedback from the Mental Welfare Commission [following reviews and site visits] has been very positive, with specific recognition made on the high quality environment; positive relationships observed between staff and service users; and the high quality of collaborative person-centred care planning.

"We recognise that the time a person spends in a hospital setting should be minimised. Our care teams work closely with families to develop person-centred treatment and discharge plans to support their loved ones back to a community setting.

"It is essential that appropriate services are in place for the person before they are discharged from hospital. We do this through close partnership working between inpatient staff and the wider health and social care partnerships that commission these community services. 

"Where individuals have complex needs, there are challenges in identifying and commissioning services that will meet the person’s needs. In these cases, discharge from hospital can take a longer time than we would normally expect.

"Our staff are committed to facilitating a successful transition from long-term hospital care to living in the community.

"NHS Ayrshire and Arran and North Ayrshire HSCP make every effort to avoid any unnecessary delay in discharge.

"Some patients are hospitalised out of area, and as such, we work collaboratively with placing authorities and other board areas to put plans in place. In addition, we ensure that we involve and consult with families throughout this process."

Ms Cameron added that the health board and HSCP "have complete confidence in the quality of care provided at Woodland View".

She said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank those staff working in Woodland View.

"The last few years have been particularly challenging, yet our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that patients continue to receive high quality treatment and care.

"I am extremely proud of the dedication and determination of our teams to work together to provide the best possible mental health and learning disability services for those living in Ayrshire and Arran."

BBC Disclosure: Locked in the Hospital is available to watch on the iplayer.