A MENTAL health inpatient unit for teenagers has been shut down for the past five months following the death of a 14-year-old patient.

Simmons House in Highgate, which is run by the Whittington, has been closed since December and all patients moved out and staff “redeployed”.

The Care Quality Commission has been investigating following a suicide at the unit in October.

A petition has been set up online by former patients of Simmons House calling for a complete “turnover of staff” if the unit is to reopen, adding: “We can’t let them get away with what they did.”

It added: “Simmons House is a place that is meant to be safe but instead you leave with more trauma and not better off from where you started.”

Corei Hall died at the unit in October 2023 and his family have been fundraising for a memorial and in support of trans youth charities.

In a post, his mother described him as “a typical teenager who loved giraffes, Doctor Who and the colour yellow”, adding: “He loved all sorts of animals and adored his friends. He was autistic and struggled with his mental health.

“Unfortunately he was also subjected to transphobic abuse.”

The CQC has made recommendations to the Whittington Health NHS Trust about removing ligature points in the unit.

A Whittington Health spokesperson said: “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.

“We are currently working with partners to investigate the circumstances and to ensure we take any actions necessary to ensure that our services are as safe as possible for the people we care for and for our staff.”

• Suicide is often preventable. Readers who are impacted by this story can find out more at www.samaritans.org or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk).