NHS England psychiatric care in spotlight with Sky News

A daring escape from NHS psychiatric care pits autism patient, Alexis Quinn, against some of the most powerful institutions in the UK.

Young mother and former GB youth swimmer, Alexis Quinn, agreed to enter NHS England psychiatric care following a family tragedy. She could never imagine that her three-day admission will turn into a three-year ordeal.

Then undiagnosed with autism, and often the subject of 24-hour surveillance as well as long periods in solitary confinement, Alexis descends to the darkest reaches of locked-in, psychiatric care. There, she encounters the kind of threat she never could have imagined in a secure mental health hospital. In a bid to break free, Alexis plots a daring escape.

Making it back to her daughter, however, would pit her against some of the most powerful institutions of the state, including the police. Narrated by Nicholas Pinnock a 4-part podcast from Sky News and The Independent, brings the story into the public spotlight.

Produced by the Sky News StoryCast team the larger investigation looks at nationwide sexual abuse allegations involving more than 50 NHS England mental health trusts. At the point of publishing, the investigation has resulted in a file of evidence being sent to the National Police Chiefs Council.

You can find the full reporting on Sky News and the Independent. All episodes of the podcast launch on January 28, on the StoryCast feed, and on all podcast players.