A HAMPSHIRE health trust faces an unlimited fine after it admitted failing to ensure the safety of patients.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust is being prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after a man fell from a low roof at Melbury Lodge near the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in 2015.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the 65-year-old, identified only as “AB”, was taken to hospital with serious head and neck injuries.

At Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court yesterday the trust admitted failing to provide safe care and treatment and failing to assess the risk to patients.

District Judge Philip Gillibrand said Southern Health faced an unlimited fine for the offences.

Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting for the CQC, said the Trust had failed to take action to prevent patients from gaining access to the rooftop between 2010 and 2016.

Sentencing was adjourned until October.

Speaking after the hearing a Trust spokesman said: “Southern Health pleaded guilty to the charges. We are clear we should have done more to ensure the safety of those under our care.

“We very much regret that injury was caused as a result, and have offered unreserved apologies to the patient involved.

“Following concerns raised by the CQC, our own internal checks and after a comprehensive inspection at Melbury Lodge, anti-roll guttering was installed on the roof in May 2016.

“The safety and wellbeing of patients is our top priority.

“We are continuing a number of programmes of improvement work to ensure that we can deliver safe and quality care across all Southern Health services.”