Patient 11, a new four-part podcast series from Sky News and The Independent, tells the story of Alexis Quinn, whose escape from psychiatric care led to a landmark national investigation that has revealed tens of thousands of unreported allegations of sexual assault and rape in NHS mental health inpatient units across England.
Narrated by Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, Django, For Life), Patient 11 recounts the dramatic story of Quinn, a young mother and former GB swimmer with undiagnosed autism, and how her three-day admission in a secure mental health hospital turned into a three-year ordeal of isolation, forced restraint and sexual assault, before a daring plot to break free.
Alexis Quinn said: “They locked me up for three-and-a-half years and were prepared to throw away the key. They had no hope for me.”
“And then I learned how prolific it was…I thought it was just me, but it’s not just me, there are thousands of people (like me).”
David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, said: “Sky News are so pleased to present this story in partnership with The Independent. There’s so much our organisations can do together to report challenging stories and make sure they reach the broadest audience possible.”
Geordie Greig, The Independent’s Editor-In-Chief, said: “This investigation highlights a shocking abuse of patients who are the most vulnerable people in society. The results of this campaign by investigative reporters from The Independent and Sky News must lead to a government action and a reform of how mental health hospitals are run and governed. I am very proud of the extraordinary work carried out by the journalists involved but appalled that such failings to those most in need have occurred.”
