Patient coaxed down from hospital roof is safe and unharmed

A patient who was coaxed down from the roof of the psychiatric ward of Birch Hill Hospital yesterday (Thursday 17 March) is safe and unharmed.

Police, fire crews and paramedics rushed to the scene around 3.45pm after passers-by raised the alarm that the man was atop the John Elliot Unit, which specialises in psychosis and mental health.

Specialist teams negotiated with the man as emergency services waited on standby. The man was eventually brought to safety at around 7.10pm and taken back into a hospital ward.

Keith Walker, Executive Director of Operations for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We can’t disclose information about individual patients, but I can confirm that an incident occurred at Birch Hill Hospital site yesterday.

“The patient was brought to safety and is receiving appropriate support from our staff.

"I’d like to publically thank the team and the emergency services for their professional and effective handling of the situation.

“Pennine Care is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety of our patients and we have strict safety measures and processes in place to ensure this. As a mental health and community trust we provide care to some very vulnerable people.

"Thankfully incidents such as this are very uncommon; but should they occur, our staff are trained to effectively deal with it.

“In line with Trust policy, we have launched an immediate and full review of the incident.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed their presence on scene and that the man was unhurt.