Surrey Mental Health Trust Injury Incidents Surge Explained
New Chertsey Facility Behind Sharp Rise in Patient Incidents
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) has revealed the reasons behind a dramatic increase in patient injuries across its services. Freedom of Information data shows incidents climbing from 92 in 2023/24 to 431 by 2025/26—more than one reported daily at peak. The trust attributes this rise directly to Silverwood’s opening in February 2025, a purpose-built inpatient facility in Chertsey designed to care for acutely unwell patients. The modern 64-bedroom facility, spread across four wards with ensuite facilities comparable to quality bathroom refurbishment standards, was created to replace the aging Abraham Cowley Unit. Silverwood’s establishment marks a significant investment in mental health infrastructure across Surrey, Woking, Dorking, Horsley, and East Horsley communities. However, the surge in recorded incidents has raised questions among local residents about patient safety and staff capacity. Trust officials emphasise that not all reported injuries relate to restraint incidents, with many occurring during routine care. The facility’s opening has enabled better tracking and transparency of incidents—a requirement under mental health legislation—meaning comprehensive recording now captures incidents previously undocumented at older facilities.
How Restraint Practices Have Changed—And What It Means
The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018, known locally as Seni’s Law, has fundamentally altered how SABP manages acute patient situations. Named after Olaseni Lewis, who died following restraint at Bethlem Royal Hospital in 2010, the legislation eliminated prone restraints—where patients are forced face-down. SABP data shows zero prone restraints reported in 2025/26, down from 20 in 2021/22. However, chemical restraint use has increased substantially, jumping from 11 incidents in 2022/23 to 830 by 2025/26. This shift reflects compliance with modern safeguarding standards and increased transparency in recording practices. For local families accessing mental health services across the region, these changes mean clearer documentation and accountability. The trust emphasises that chemical interventions, when used, are administered under strict medical oversight and represent a less physically traumatic approach than previous restraint methods. Staff training has been enhanced to manage acute situations safely without resorting to physical force. Community mental health advocates have cautiously welcomed the changes, though some question whether adequate staffing levels exist to support patients effectively during mental health crises without physical intervention.
What This Means for Your Community and What Comes Next
The expansion of mental health services at Silverwood, located in Chertsey but serving patients from Surrey, Woking, Dorking, Horsley, East Horsley and surrounding areas, represents both opportunity and challenge. The facility provides 64 modern beds—a significant resource for acutely unwell individuals who previously faced delays or transfers outside the region. The reported incidents and updated restraint practices should prompt local conversations about mental health support adequacy. Community members with relatives using SABP services should request detailed information about individual care plans and restraint protocols. Local GP practices, community centres, and organisations in neighbouring towns should establish clearer referral pathways and post-discharge support. Watch for upcoming trust reports on staffing levels, training completion, and patient feedback surveys. Consider engaging with local Healthwatch representatives, who monitor NHS service quality independently. Mental health charities operating across Guildford and surrounding communities report increased demand; supporting these organisations strengthens local resilience. The trust has committed to ongoing transparency through Freedom of Information requests. Residents deserve clarity on whether current capacity meets genuine need or whether incidents reflect understaffing rather than service improvement alone.
