Abusive treatment of patients in psychiatric hospitals

Patients in psychiatric hospitals, particularly those committed for long terms have been abused in many ways. Patient's money is pilfered. They are neglected; hospital managers don't manage; senior physicians abdicate from care; senior nurses are rigid and fail to adopt modern methods of care and government agencies fail to inspect hospitals. Patients are physically and sexually abused. The physical surrounds are unpleasant. Activities are boring. Many lack adequate medical treatment and even sufficient food.

Staff of a UK special security hospital cited in 1992 numerous instances of deliberate and cruel abuse of patients, both mentally and physically. Brain-damaged patients were ridiculed and intimidated, others were tormented and insulted. Patient confidentiality and privacy was repeatedly breached.