Oxleas Trust has launched an independent inquiry into Green Parks House after five patients reportedly committed suicide since last April.

This May, two patients treated at the mental health unit based next door to Princess Royal University Hospital allegedly killed themselves within two weeks.

Candeese Mair died on May 5 and Julia Macpherson on May 18, both while receiving treatment at Green Parks House.

A source, who asked not be named, told News Shopper: “Unless there is public pressure on Oxleas, vulnerable mentally ill people will continue to die without receiving the care they need.

“Oxleas needs to be held accountable.

“Candeese Mair was a mother of two children, the youngest child less than one year old.

“The suicide of Candeese Mair shows the trust has not learned anything from the mistakes made during the care of Diana Mager.”

Diana Mager killed herself in 2012 while she was being treated for severe post-natal depression at Green Parks House.

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability for Mrs Mager’s death after her family served legal proceedings.

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Mrs Mager, who was originally from Romania but lived in Beckenham, had exhibited suicidal behaviour on a number of occasions while being treated at Green Parks House.

On one occasion she tried to smuggle a kitchen knife into the mental health unit after an escorted leave visit.

During an unescorted leave visit, she went to the fifth-floor bar at the Tate Modern and climbed over the barrier outside.

The Trust acknowledged her death could have been prevented in October 2013, having previously contended her death “could not have been predicted”.

At the time, a spokesman for Oxleas said the trust would be reviewing their internal inquiry to identify further learning and ensure it was put in place.

The source added: “The patients were sent out on leave or discharged inappropriately and committed suicide within days of being discharged.

“Post-partum depression is a serious mental illness and needs good care.

“These are real tragedies where families have lost loved ones and children are left without their parents.”

A spokeswoman for Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust said: “Green Parks House is an acute psychiatric facility for adults with complex mental health issues who require 24-hour care.

“Any death of a patient is a matter of great sadness and is always fully investigated.

“We are always trying to learn how we can improve our care and decision-making in what are often very complex and difficult cases.

“Where any recommendations are made, we take action to make the changes needed and the board of directors check to make sure this has happened.

“In addition, we have commissioned an independent inquiry to review the care and support offered to the patients involved.

“This review is about to commence, we are therefore unable to comment until we have seen the final report.”

Green Parks House was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March 2013 and was found to meet standards in all categories.