Sussex Police have launched an investigation after four patients being cared for by a mental health trust apparently all committed suicide.

The Press Association reports that the three men and one woman were admitted to two mental health units run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Inquiries were launched following the death of 49-year-old Sussex Police Sergeant Richard Bexhell, who was found hanged at the Woodlands unit in Hastings in August 2009. He later died in hospital.

In October, 40-year-old John Blair from Hastings was also found hanged at the same unit.

Police then decided to review other deaths at the trust, including that of another patient at Woodlands – 35-year-old Susanna Anley, who reportedly suffocated herself with a plastic bag in April 2008.

Another patient – 53-year-old hospital porter Michael Stevens from Lancing – hanged himself in his room at the Meadowfield unit in Worthing.

An inquest into his death heard that Mr Stevens was able to hang himself using a belt, following a ‘breakdown in communication’ and a failure to implement the trust’s observation policies regarding mental health patients.

Inquests into the deaths of the three patients who died at the Woodlands unit have yet to be heard – but Sussex Police said the investigation would be ‘wide-ranging and exploratory’.

A spokesman said:

‘Sussex Police are establishing the facts surrounding these four deaths and are being assisted in the investigation by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

‘The police are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.’

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental healthcare throughout East and West Sussex.

The trust issued a statement in response to reports of the police investigation:

‘The four deaths of patients referred to in recent press reports – two in 2008 and two in 2009 – have been the subject of detailed reviews in line with our own internal policies and the requirements of our regulator, the Care Quality Commission.

‘These reviews do not always highlight failings – in many instances it is only with hindsight that it is possible to identify potential changes or improvements. When we do identify a failing, however, we take action and ensure that changes are made to address it.

‘Every suicide is clearly a tragedy and if it happens on one of our wards, we follow a very detailed review process based on national best practice.

‘As an organisation, we value our close working relationship with Sussex Police. We are fully supporting the police with their investigations and will continue to help them.’

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