MENTAL health authorities are putting people at risk by failing to decontaminate medical equipment, treat waste or train staff.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, which is responsible for Swindon, admits it has failed to keep patients, staff and visitors safe from the risks associated with medical devices.

According to the results in the Healthcare Commission's self-assessment reports published yesterday, the trust failed to properly decontaminate all reusable medical devices.

It also failed to make sure waste was handled and disposed of safely and to minimise the risk to the safety of staff, patients, the public and the environment.

The partnership was listed as failing to ensure staff continuously update their skills and clinical techniques. It also failed to provide mandatory training for staff.

Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust also failed to keep patients, staff and visitors safe from the dangers of medical devices and did not make sure clinicians undertook regular audits and reviews.

It failed to safely maintain, use and destroy information and records and did not meet requirements to challenge discrimination and promote equality and human rights.

The good news is Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust said it is complying with all the Government's requirements, as is Swindon Primary Care Trust.

But nearby Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT has struggled with cleanliness and hygiene controls, including those for tackling the superbug MRSA.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership chief executive Laura McMurtrie said it was working to fix the problems.

It has appointed a medical devices liaison officer to cut decontamination risks and is recruiting a waste manager.

She said the trust had a comprehensive training regime but no computer system to record it.

"In order to ensure all staff undergo mandatory and statutory training as appropriate, and clinicians continuously update relevant skills and techniques, we are currently in the process of implementing a new learner management system," she said.

The trust runs free courses to help people with mild to moderate mental health issues as well as community mental health teams and in-patient services at Sandalwood Court, in Stratton St Margaret, Windswept rehabilitation house, in Swindon, and in Victoria Hospital, in Old Town.

Both the ambulance and Kennet trusts said recent shake-ups had improved their services.

"The creation of Great Western Ambulance Service has put the ambulance service in a stronger position to run a more efficient organisation as it offers greater economies of scale and better opportunities to invest in frontline staff and services," Ms McMurtrie said.

The results come as the commission recommends special measures to protect people who use special needs services in Cornwall after findings show significant failings in procedures.

Widespread institutional abuse of people with learning disabilities at an NHS Trust in Cornwall was revealed in an investigation in to Budock Hospital.

The Healthcare Commission will carry out unannounced visits to trusts throughout the year.