A MUM whose son died in a mental health facility believes a damning new report into the trust that runs it shows how “truly bad” the situation is.

Safety at North Essex Partnership facilities visited by the Care Quality Commission remains “inadequate”, according to a report published on Monday.

Inspectors visited sites including Chelmsford’s Linden Centre, where Matthew Leahy, 20, died in 2012.

Mum Melanie Leahy, of Heybridge, campaigns for improvements at the trust after an inquest ruled there were “missed opportunities” to help him before he was found hanged.

The report found four years on there were still some problems related to ligature points at some wards, an issue highlighted on a previous inspection last year.

Inspectors found a lack of full-time staff with many vacancies filled by bank and agency staff.

Mrs Leahy said the problems highlighted in the report had been there for years.

She said: “The report shows just how truly bad it is down there, and this makes it clear that work is still not being done to address any of their issues.

“If a landlord were to not fix recurring problems in one of their properties, they would be taken to court.

“But for a hospital trust it doesn’t appear to be the same.

“Previously problems have been blamed on the former manager, but he’s now left and they’re under new management, but it’s still the same. They still have staff shortages and way too many agency workers who just don’t know what they’re doing.”

The trust highlighted feedback which showed 95 per cent of patients gave positive feedback about the staff, and their experience of care on the wards.

Christopher Butler, the trust’s interim chief executive, said: “I am grateful to the CQC for the positive comments it has made about the improvements it has seen in the Trust.

“Since becoming the interim chief executive of the trust in March I am deeply impressed with the commitment of staff and the investments made in improving facilities. However, there is much more to do.”