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PRIVATE mental healthcare firm the Priory Group is facing a multimillion-pound fine for breaching health and safety laws after a 14-year-old girl died in its care, Brighton magistrates’ court heard today.
The Priory Group pleaded guilty to health and safety charges following the death of Amy El-Keria in 2012.
She was an NHS-funded patient in a specialist children’s unit at Ticehurst House in East Sussex, a private psychiatric hospital run by the Priory Group.
Her mother Tania El-Keria said: “Amy was my dearly loved youngest daughter … with her whole life ahead of her.
“Amy’s mental healthcare should never have been in the hands of a company whose priority was placing profit over her safety.”
The Inquest charity has supported the family through what it called “the hardest of battles for answers and action against those responsible.”
The Priory Group said it was “truly sorry” and extended its “deepest sympathies to Amy’s family.”
District Judge Tessa Szagun committed the case to Lewes crown court, with a next hearing scheduled for February 6.
