Health Secretary Wes Streeting has described reports that children were dragged across the floor at a mental health facility in Coventry as “truly shocking”.
Joyce Parker Hospital in Coventry, which provides care for young people aged between 12 and 18, is facing an investigation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) over accusations of poor care.
The hospital said it was committed to providing the highest standards and strongly rejected any allegations of abuse.
However, it said it would close its children’s facility and open to adults only.
Reacting to a report in The Independent, Streeting said: “It is truly shocking the way children were treated in a place where they were supposed to be safe. I think the closure decision is the right one.”
He added the government was working to make sure young people were provided the right placements, calling safety its “first consideration”.
“I think it is a truly terrifying example of what happens when patient safety is not taken seriously,” he continued.
“I don’t want to read about any more of these sorts of cases.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told the BBC: “We’ve received a number of allegations and we’re carrying out enquiries to establish whether any crimes have been committed.”
Healthcare provider Cygnet, which runs the hospital, said a warning notice from the CQC had not yet been published, and it was still in discussions with the regulator.
A spokesperson said it “refuted” allegations of abuse, but acknowledged “inappropriate use of restraint during very difficult circumstances”.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to change the services offered at the hospital and to discontinue our child and adolescent mental health provision at the site,” he said.
“The hospital remains open as we make these changes and our immediate priority is to continue supporting the young people in our care.”