AN investigation has been launched into care given to two mentally ill patients before they died at a North-East hospital.

The investigation comes a year after police announced there would be no criminal charges brought against the hospital. This follows an investigation into deaths in the psychiatric wing in 1975.

The deaths of Harry Howe, 60, who had Down's syndrome, and John Kenny, who had learning difficulties, are being probed after friends and family raised concerns about their treatment at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Advocate Chris Close, who is representing the families, said: "These are extremely vulnerable people and special protocols need to be in place to make sure they receive the most appropriate care.

"These deaths have come as a shock to all of us and our priority now is to make sure that none of them died in vain. We think there are some changes that need to be made."

John Saxby, who is expected to become chief executive of the new Durham Trust, said the hospital was investigating the claims.

He said: "We are looking into two individual complaints about the clinical care of patients.

"It is too early to say whether, in addition to the clinical issues raised, there are broader issues relating to the care of people with learning disabilities. We take such issues very seriously.

"We are carrying out full investigations, which do take some time, and once we have concluded our inquiries we will be able to determine whether we need to take further action."

Last year, a police investigation into the hospital's psychiatric ward did not lead to criminal charges.

The police were asked to look back to 1975 and investigate the deaths of four patients at the hospital.

The deaths, within 27 days of each other, resulted in the Day Inquiry, which criticised the then hospital management, although no foul play was suggested.