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Royal Edinburgh Hospital Faces Backlash Over 'Culture of Cruelty'

11/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sadie McKenzie, 20, says staff at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s Young Persons Unit (now the Melville Unit) cut her hair and dressed her in a 'suicide smock' during a 2020 admission at age 15.
She says the experience left her dehumanized and she was discharged without proper assessment or therapeutic support.
An inspection described a 'culture of cruelty' and raised concerns about excessive restraint and inadequate care; NHS Lothian apologized.

History

Historical Context

In 2022, inspections at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital revealed severe deficiencies, including excessive restraint and inadequate support for vulnerable youth. This echoes historical abuses in mental health care, notably the 1961 Willowbrook State School scandal, where over 5,000 children faced neglect. These incidents highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms in mental health services to ensure dignity and proper treatment for all patients.

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Story summary

Sadie McKenzie, 20, says staff at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s Young Persons Unit (now the Melville Unit) cut her hair and dressed her in a 'suicide smock' during a 2020 admission at age 15.
She says the experience left her dehumanized and she was discharged without proper assessment or therapeutic support.
An inspection described a 'culture of cruelty' and raised concerns about excessive restraint and inadequate care; NHS Lothian apologized.

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