Southend Hospital is still not dealing adequately with patients who have mental health problems, a report has revealed.

The Care Quality Comm- ission inspected the hospital in October following serious incidents including the death of a patient who jumped out of a window last year.

So called “safe rooms” with tamper-proof locks on all windows and glass reinforced or covered with safety film, were created for vulnerable patients.

It followed the death of a 69-year-old Brentwood man who died at the hospital on July 4.

But the commission found not all staff “were aware of the protocols around using the safe rooms.”

The report said: “Supervision of patients in safe rooms is sometimes carried out by security staff who do not have training around mental health.”

The commission said this was not effective when dealing with distressed patients with mental health issues.

A spokesman for Southend Hospital said: “We have clear policy guidance on the use of safe rooms. Staff have been trained to recognise when a patient is vulnerable or if there is a potential risk of them harming themselves or others.

“Further training is due to start this month.”