Boston hospital boots entire staff of child psych unit following investigation of sexual molestation complaint

June 7, 2011

A Boston hospital fired the staff of its locked adolescent psychiatry unit when an investigation revealed lack of concern for patient safety, officials said.

Bill Walczak, president of Carney Hospital, announced the dismissals Thursday, The Boston Globe reported. He said a report by former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger showed "serious concerns about patient safety and quality of care."

Walczak retained Harshbarger to investigate a report that a teenager in the unit had been sexually molested. He said Harshbarger recommended a clean sweep.

"We will have top-notch employees replace those who left," Walczak said. "My goal is to make it the best unit in the state.''

David Schildmeier, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said 29 people lost their jobs, including 13 nurses who belong to his union.

Source: "Hospital fires staff from psych unit," United Press International, May 28, 2011.