Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the inquiry into historical allegations of abuse at Aston Hall, Derbyshire; when he expects that inquiry to report; and if he will make a statement.

We are aware that a number of serious allegations have been raised about abuse that took place at the former Aston Hall Hospital during the 1960s and 1970s. Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the local provider of mental health services, advises that an investigation is currently underway by a partnership of agencies, including health services and the police, co-ordinated through the Derbyshire Safeguarding Children’s Board.

The timescales for any system-wide Serious Case Review or Learning Review will depend on the outcome of current police enquiries.