A whistleblower claims that an autistic man held in hospital for over 20 years has been treated “like an animal” by a staff member.
Tony Hickmott (44), was taken away from Brighton, East Sussex, after being sectioned by the Mental Health Act 2001.
Though his family were initially told he would be away for nine months, he has lived in a secure Assessment and Treatment Unit for two decades – and was only declared ‘fit for discharge’ by psychiatrists in 2013.
He is currently waiting for the local authorities to locate him a home. His elderly parents have been trying to get him back in their community. His care and well-being has yet to be identified at the hospital.
The court overturned an order that prevented the public from hearing about his case and made details public.
A support worker where Mr Hickmott has been detained has now claimed that the 44-year-old was the ‘loneliest man in the hospital’ and that – like ‘an animal’ – only his basic needs were met.
Phil Devine explained how he was complicit with the autistic man’s ‘neglect & abuse’ during his time at the hospital’s private, low security facility between 2015-2017.
Tony Hickmott was 44 when he was taken under section of the Mental Health Act 2001. He then moved out from Brighton (East Sussex) with his parents.
Phil Devine (pictured), describes how he was complicit with the autistic man’s neglect and abuse while working in a private, low-secure facility between 2015-2018
He is currently waiting on the authorities to locate him a home. His elderly parents (pictured below) continue to fight to have him placed in the community.
According to him, some of those in the hospital had committed crime while others like Mr Hickmott were kept under the Mental Health Act.
Devine stated that Hickmott, like many patients at the hospital, had limited freedom. He was kept in segregation all of his life. According to Devine, this could have been due to other patients at the hospital.
BBC News: He stated that although he hadn’t committed a crime, he found himself in isolated confinement.
He was watered, fed, and cleaned. If it happened, it would be wonderful. But if not, it was OK.
“The hospital’s management told us that there was a care plan. Take him to breakfast and then dress him at lunch.
‘That’s just a schedule – that’s not a care plan. It was exact, but it was also rigid. Tony could only do that.
Over 2,000 people are currently being detained in secure hospitals across England. According to the BBC, 350 patients have been kept in hospital for longer than 10 years. Additionally, 100 people, including Mr Hickmott have been in ATUs for more than twenty years.
The Court of Protection is hearing his case. This Court decides welfare issues for persons with diminished mental abilities.
BBC investigations revealed that 350 people were detained at specialist hospitals over the past ten years. These include Mr Hickmott.
Some patients had committed crime, but others, such as Mr Hickmott, were taken into custody under the Mental Health Act
Carolyn Hilder (Senior Judge) is currently hearing the case and criticised the ‘egregious progress’ in getting him the best care.
Pam, his mother of 81 years, stated that her son doesn’t believe he is coming home.
She continued, “If someone had killed somebody, they’d get out now.” He has lost his family and home. He is now a ghost of who he once was. There are so many families like us – crying and screaming. We can be our children’s voice.
The hospital was placed in special measures last year because it failed to’meet complex patient’ needs.
Reports revealed that there were high levels in restraint, overuse of medication and a shortage of competent and qualified staff. There was also an increase in violence on many wards.
According to the Care Quality Commission, although special measures have been applied to the hospital, it still needs improvement.
Pam, his mother said that her son doesn’t believe he is coming home.
The Government introduced a program in 2015 to end the scandal that adults with autism and learning disabilities were kept in long-term inpatient units.
Following horrendous revelations made in 2011, about neglecting patients with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View Hospital in Gloucestershire, this was followed by this.
Four Seasons’ parent company Four Seasons sold the Huntercombe Group which managed the hospital. Four Seasons is now in administration. Although the company name is still in use, it has been sold to Four Seasons.
The Huntercombe Group stated in a statement that they were a separate legal entity than the Huntercombe Group. They did not exist at the time, and are therefore not providing any services.
“All hospital records are owned by the original owners, so the Huntercombe Group does not have any records about patients.”
A spokesperson for the NHS stated that they were working hard to provide Mr Hickmott with appropriate care and support.