A PATIENT'S fall from the rooftop of a Swindon mental health hospital has landed an NHS trust in court.

Lawyers for Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust appeared before Bath magistrates yesterday afternoon to face allegations the organisation failed to provide safe care and treatment resulting in avoidable harm to a patient.

The charges have been brought by the Care Quality Commission under the Health and Social Care Act regulations.

It follows an incident in January 2016 that saw a patient sustain serious injuries after they plunged from a rooftop at Applewood Ward, part of AWP's Sandalwood Court mental health hospital in Stratton.

The case was adjourned to August 20 at Taunton Magistrates' Court. No pleas were entered.

By law, registered providers of health and social care services, including NHS trusts, must take all reasonable steps to ensure patients or service users receive safe care and treatement.