A HEALTH regulator is investigating failings at a city learning disabilities unit.

Monitor will probe Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust following a critical report into The Slade, in Horspath Driftway, Headington.

Concerns included the level of staff interaction with patients, cleanliness, prevention of abuse and management of medicines.

Last month’s report – by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – said staff complained of not having time to care for patients.

The Oxford Mail revealed the unit had been closed to admissions following the inspection.

Monitor is looking at whether Southern Healthcare has breached its licence, which has to be approved by the regulator.

Regional Monitor director Paul Streat said: “We are acting in the interests of local patients to find out what went wrong and to help prevent it from happening again.”

Southern Healthcare chief executive Katrina Percy said: “We will work with Monitor to ensure we can assure our patients and those we work with that our services are safe and of a quality expected as an NHS foundation trust.”