Brain-damaged Scot 'stuck' in hospital at centre of police probes

A Scottish woman is calling for her brain-damaged nephew to be urgently moved from a mental health hospital in England which is at the centre of multiple police inquiries.

Jordan Jones, now 36, suffered serious brain injuries when he was attacked in Aberdeen in 2016. He has been at St Andrew's Healthcare in Northampton for rehabilitation since 2020.

Last month, BBC News revealed 15 staff members had been arrested since October 2024 following allegations of rape, ill-treatment and neglect. NHS England has called for alternative arrangements for scores of inpatients to be found.

Caroline Munro, Jordan's aunt and legal guardian, wants local health providers to get him back to his home city to be cared for.

St Andrew's Healthcare, which is a charity, said patient wellbeing was its priority.

Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) said it was working to relocate two Aberdeen patients from St Andrew's.

Patients, relatives and whistleblowers have described a culture of abuse at the unit.

BBC News has heard allegations of inappropriate restraint techniques being used on vulnerable patients, with some sustaining injuries.

Of the 15 people arrested, 10 are still under investigation, and five will face no further action.

NHS England has told health bosses to find alternative arrangements for 287 inpatients.

In a letter, it said it had taken the decision over continuing patient safety concerns.

Jordan's three attackers were jailed in 2017.

He was transferred to the St Andrew's unit in July 2020, where his care is understood to cost ACHSCP hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

His 60-year-old aunt Caroline Munro travels to visit him in the Northampton facility every month. She said his reaction to seeing relatives was "amazing" but she was constantly worried about him.

She told BBC Scotland News he had a "heart of gold", and that his condition now was "heart-breaking".

She said: "We didn't know if he was going to survive, but Jordan being Jordan he pulled himself right through it.

"Jordan has been left with a catastrophic brain injury, he has been left non-vocal."

She said that with brain injury rehabilitation it was hard to get a loved one into an appropriate facility.

Caroline said they were happy initially, but developed serious concerns about his welfare - including "unexplained" injuries.

She said she wanted get his medications reduced as she feels they are "suppressing" his recovery.

When asked about the recent news of police investigations, she said she was "not surprised", and was even "a bit relieved" - as "something might happen now".

Caroline said: "I just want him home where he belongs. Ideally, I would like him home to Aberdeen."

She said she understood some alternative facilities in Scotland were being explored.

"He's been put through enough," she added. "You can't crumble, you need to fight for him.

"I love him to pieces."

St Andrew's Healthcare said: "We note the letter that NHS England has published setting out its intention to find alternative placements for inpatients at St Andrew's Northampton hospital.

"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."

ACHSCP said: "We are working closely with NHS England to facilitate the relocation of two Aberdeen patients at St Andrew's Hospital.

"The needs of the individuals involved are complex and so great care is being taken to source the most appropriate accommodation and care support.

"We are in regular contact with NHS England and family members to keep them informed of progress."