Criminal investigation launched into NHS mental health unit after teenage girl’s death
A criminal investigation has been launched by the Care Quality Commission into the NHS's Riverside Adolescent Unit in Bristol following the death of 17-year-old Lucy Curtis in January 2024. The unit was temporarily closed after internal reviews raised concerns about patient safety, and a full inquest into her death is scheduled for June. The probe could lead to prosecution under the Health and Social Care Act for failures resulting in avoidable harm.
- ▪Lucy Curtis, aged 17, died on New Year's Day 2024 following an incident at the Riverside Adolescent Unit at Blackberry Hill Hospital in Bristol.
- ▪The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) closed the unit weeks after her death due to safety concerns identified in internal reviews.
- ▪The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a criminal investigation that could lead to prosecution under the Health and Social Care Act.
- ▪A full inquest into Lucy Curtis's death is set to take place in June 2026.
- ▪Lucy’s family has refrained from commenting publicly until the inquest and has been raising money for charity through walking challenges in her memory.
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NewsUKCrimeCriminal investigation launched into NHS mental health unit after teenage girl’s deathExclusive: The probe has been launched after Lucy Curtis died following an incident at Riverside Adolsecent Unit at Blackberry Hill Hospital in BristolAlex Ross Friday 01 May 2026 09:40 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966225","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/lucy-curtis-riverside-bristol-mental-health-b2966225.html","title":"Criminal investigation launched into NHS mental health unit after teenager’s death"}}A jury inquest into the death…
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