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Shock as children's ward nurses speak out about violence

5 0
17.08.2025

There was much shock and sadness after nurses spoke out about violent behavioural problems at a Swindon hospital's children's unit.

Great Western Hospital staff told the BBC that troubled teenagers have assaulted nurses and verbally abused very young patients and their families.

After Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership closed the Riverside external adolescent mental health unit as a "temporary measure" in February 2024, teenagers suffering from psychiatric conditions have been sent to Swindon instead.

GWH’s unit provides care to children up to the age of 18, and the hospital does not have an adolescent mental health ward as an alternative.

Here’s what you had to say on the matter.

Karen Strickland said: “The nurses on the children’s ward here are wonderful, kind, caring and the hardest working I’ve ever known.

“I’m heartbroken for them that they are having to deal with this. I’ve seen some of the problems first hand when I’ve been........

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