A hospital unit which was subject of an undercover BBC documentary into alleged abuse of vulnerable patients took a “massive toll” on staff, a court has heard.

Nine members of staff were charged with a total of 27 offences after a reporter used a hidden camera at Whorlton Hall, a 17-bed independent unit for people with complex needs near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

They deny all the charges, which stem from covert filming of staff and patients in early 2019.

Teesside Crown Court has heard patients who were detained under the Mental Health Act and who required 24-hour care were distressed when they were verbally abused, mocked and wound up by some of the staff at the hospital.

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BBC researcher Olivia Davies was recruited by Panorama to film undercover and she would write up journals and film video diaries after completing shifts at Whorlton Hall, jurors have heard.

Jonathan Walker, defending care worker Sarah Banner, asked Ms Davies whether “Whorlton Hall took a massive toll on people who worked there”.

The witness agreed, and also accepted that some staff did not come back after completing just one day’s work at the hospital.

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Mr Walker continued: “Sarah Banner was battle-hardened to that environment, wasn’t she?

“Battle-hardened by a period of a year or so more than you (working there).

“Battle-hardened by numerous injuries (she received) at Whorlton Hall, because that was a major feature of working at Whorlton Hall.”

Ms Davies agreed and later said: “It was really hard work.”

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The defendants are:

  • John Sanderson, 25, of Cambridge Avenue, Willington, who faces two charges of ill-treatment of a person in care;
  • Darren Mark Lawton, 47, of Miners Crescent, Darlington, who faces two counts of ill-treatment of a person in care;
  • Niall Mellor, 26, of Lingmell Dene, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, is accused of two counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Sarah Banner, 33, from Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe, is accused of three counts of ill-treatment of a patient; her husband
  • Matthew Banner, 43, of the same address, is charged with six counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Ryan Fuller, 26, from of Deerbolt Bank, Barnard Castle, faces ten charges of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Sabah Mahmood, 27, of Woodland Crescent, Kelloe, is charged with one count of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Peter Bennett, 52, of Redworth Road, Billingham, faces three counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Karen McGhee, 54, from Wildair Close, Darlington, who faces two counts of ill-treatment of a patient and one of wilful neglect.

The case continues.