Council leader writes to Government asking for clarity about next steps at troubled mental health hospital in Northampton

Councillor Mark Arnull, leader of WNC, has written directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, to formally set out concerns regarding St Andrew’s Hospital, which saw more than 200 patients removed from its care in March this year, due to continued safety concerns.

The council says it has received limited clarity on future plans, including how risks such as potential job losses, pressures on local services and the management of incidents will be addressed. The letter from the leader sets out the authority’s concerns and hopes to press for clear national leadership and accountability for next steps.

Cllr Arnull said: “We have expressed our serious concerns to the Government about St Andrew’s in Northampton and seek immediate assurance on how patients will be protected and supported, clarity on support for the local workforce, and an understanding of how the impacts on Northampton and local services will be managed.

"We have made it clear that, given the scale and significance of St Andrew’s to the local economy and healthcare system, appropriate national NHS support must be in place.”

Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member of Adult Care and Public Health at WNC, added: “The lack of clarity about the future of St Andrew’s Healthcare is deeply concerning. 

"Whilst the council is not the regulator, we are determined to press for clear national leadership and assurances on patient safety and support for staff. Given the importance of St Andrew’s to our community, appropriate support must be in place, and we will continue to escalate until clear answers are provided.”

The council says it is working closely with partners to ensure concerns are properly monitored and escalated under national oversight, while remaining focused on patient safety, support for staff and protection of local communities.

NHS England moved patients out of the Northampton site in March after it said it still does not have “adequate assurance that patient safety is improving at the rate it needs”, following enforcement action in December 2025, when the hospital was no longer allowed to take new patients after a damning report from the health watchdog. NHS England also said “unacceptable issues” were identified.

At the time, a St Andrew’s spokesman said: “Patient wellbeing is our priority, and we are working with NHS to understand next steps to support patients and manage any change to their care.

“In the meantime, we will continue to deliver rapid and far-reaching improvements to patient care across every ward in Northampton, supported by NHS England.”

Shortly after NHS England announced the move, another damning CQC report was published, which included 14 breaches of regulation. Inspectors also said they saw CCTV of staff assaults and saw incidents of staff falling asleep during enhanced observations.

Northampton South MP Mike Reader met with the Health Secretary in April to discuss the “deeply concerning” situation and what can be done to protect patients and jobs.