Meadow View Hospital, on Dog Kennel Road, only opened in June but hit the headlines in August when a patient left the unit without permission.

Hospital director Jim Brown was contacted by the Standard six weeks ago about a second alleged incident but denied all knowledge of the event.

Now the Standard has received a letter from the Health Care Commission which proves it did happen and they were notified by the hospital – despite it being kept from the press and public.

A former employee is also claiming that the man who breached security in the second incident could have been a danger to the public.

"The individual that escaped did pose a threat to the public," claimed the man who didn't want to be named.

He said the patient was able to travel over a mile to Caemby Corner petrol station before staff caught up with him.
The former employee claimed the hospital breached protocol by not calling the police.

"He was out for nearly two hours," he added.
A spokesman for the Health Care Commission who oversee the independent unit said: "We are aware of the absconsions and that the organisation has taken action in relation to these incidents. The organisation has informed the Health Care Commission of the incidents."

Hospital neighbour Linda Teal, of Dog Kennel Road, wrote to the Health Care Commission with her worries over security at the site.
"I live alone so I am very concerned. Before the paint has even dried we have had two escapes."

Miss Julie Stokes, also of Dog Kennel Road, has lived in her property for 12 years but said she is now looking to sell up and move out.
"I have had the police in my garden once looking around when someone escaped," she said.

"The children can't go out in the garden now because it is not safe because the residents can get out and walk around out there."
"I am thinking about getting out of here and getting it boarded up and renting a property for my children's safety and for my safety."

Derek Moffat, Glentworth parish councillor, echoed the concerns of the residents.
"The first one got out and it was very high profile because they alarmed people by turning over people's houses and not saying why."

"The parish council and everybody just wants to see a secure mental unit. They should not be able to shimmy over the fence and escape."
Residents and councillors first raised concerns over the security at the unit when the first patient absconded back in August.

The patient left the hospital unauthorised and did not return for two days, so was reported to police as a missing person.
Director Mr Brown moved to reassure residents at the time that they were not at risk, and said he and his staff were in constant contact with the patient who went home.

The £7.5million hospital only opened its doors to patients in June.
The 28-bed purpose built unit provides care for people with chronic and enduring mental health illnesses.

Health bosses branded the unit as having an "open, light and fresh" feel and didn't want to make patients feel like they were being locked up 24 hours a day.

Mr Brown was unavailable for comment before the Standard went to press.