March 2026 deadline for Hill End abuse survivors to make a claim

In-patients as young as 10 years old were frequently given adult doses of sedatives as a form of control and punishment during their admissions to Hill End. The drugs caused many individuals to endure frightening and painful side effects, with some being rendered unconscious for hours or days at a time, leaving them vulnerable to abuse by staff. 

Adolescents under the age of 16 were referred to the Hill End Unit between 1969 and 1995. Often, the reason given for admission was that they could not be managed by their parents or in their care setting. Very few had any diagnosis of a mental health disorder, and formal assessments or diagnoses were not given during admission. Instead, patients were made to participate in group meetings and therapy sessions which included controversial massage and touch therapy.  

The body now known as Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust had responsibility for running Hill End from April 1992 until the unit was closed in November 1995. Prior to this, responsibility for the unit’s management had rested with the Department of Health.   

A compensation scheme for people who experienced abuse at Hill End was established in July 2024 after human rights lawyer Emma Jones took up their case. 

Emma, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, represents a number of individuals who experienced physical and sexual abuse at Hill End.  

Her team, which also includes associate solicitors Lucie Boase and Anna Flaherty, assists former patients in bringing compensation claims through the Hill End Settlement Scheme. 

To date, over 90 individual claims have been settled under the scheme, with damages totalling over £5.3 million.  

However, the scheme is due to close in March 2026 and former patients who believe that they may have a claim are urged to contact the Hill End team at hillend@leighday.co.uk or call team secretary Karen Buckley 020 7650 1323 by Friday 27 February to ensure that their claim can be filed in time.  

Many of the former patients have received a formal letter of apology from the trust’s CEO about what happened to them while they were under the care of the Unit. The letter highlights lessons learned by the trust which it says have been taken forward into current practice.  

Clients have welcomed the letters, noting that they have been an important step towards accountability and justice.  

One of the claimants said:

“I’ve found the experience of bringing a claim through the settlement scheme to be emotionally and mentally draining but also cleansing – and the apology has helped with that side of it.  

“I’ve spent a lot of years with this mentally buried and to now speak about it has unleashed a lot of old memories and feelings, and a lot of negativity against myself and the way I was treated within the care system and especially Hill End. I didn’t feel like I had a voice or a choice back then and the knock-on effect for myself and my little family was huge.  

“To receive an apology finally meant that someone realised what went on was wrong, and not something that should have happened or was my fault - which is how it has always felt. That has definitely made it easier to process internally.” 

Human rights partner Emma Jones said: 

“This has been a difficult journey for our clients, but these letters of apology mark a new chapter and provide a much-needed acknowledgement of the abuse that they faced. This is a positive step towards closure, as well as justice. I really commend our clients’ bravery throughout this process. 

“As we approach the settlement scheme deadline, I urge any former patients who think that they may have a claim to get in touch with our team. We are dedicated to ensuring that justice is achieved for as many as possible.” 

If you think that you may have a claim, you can confidentially contact the Hill End team at hillend@leighday.co.uk, or call 020 7650 1323.