AN Oxford unit for people with learning disabilities has been closed to admissions following a damning inspection.

Slade House in Horspath Driftway, Headington is not taking new patients, owner Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust said today.

It follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission which raised concerns about interaction with residents, cleanliness and safe administration of medicines.

Some emergency equipment was not working and quality monitoring was “inadequate” it also found.

Trust chief executive Katrina Percy said she was concerned the issues had “not come to light sooner” and it is conducting its own investigation.

She said: “We have taken the findings extremely seriously.”