An internal investigation has been launched after two violent mental health patients absconded from a secure hospital unit on Wednesday.

The men had been detained under the Mental Health Act on a ward run by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at Epsom Hospital.

Jason Bratton, 36, and Neil Emery, 46, left without the medication they need to control their mental illnesses on Wednesday at 10.45am.

Mr Emery was found earlier today but Mr Bratton still remains at large.

Surrey and Borders issued a statement this morning that said: "We are currently working closely with Surrey Police to locate Neil Emery and Jason Bratton who absconded from our psychiatric intensive care ward on the Epsom General Hospital site on Wednesday morning.

"These are vulnerable men who are in need of our support and treatment to help with their recovery.

"We are concerned for their wellbeing, which may deteriorate in the coming days, as they do not have any medication with them to help treat their symptoms.

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The search continures for Jason Bratton

"We will be conducting an internal investigation to establish how the men left the ward to ensure that lessons are learnt to minimise the chances of this happening in the future."

A trust spokeswoman confirmed that the absconders were in a different ward to another of its inpatients who managed to climb a high hospital chimney and fell to his death in May.

After the fatal fall, Jo Young, director of quality at the trust, said: "The safety of people who use our services is always our top priority and we have launched an internal investigation into the care and treatment of the young man to identify how we can learn from this tragic event."

Detective Inspector Dan Voller, who is leading the search said: "Both men do have a history of violence and although there is no indication of any direct threat to the public, anyone who believes they have seen either of the two men are urged not to approach them but to phone police immediately."

He added: "Because we believe they have not taken their medication, the men may also be at risk of harming themselves. We are carrying out extensive searches, but we need the public's help."

If you see the men call police on 101, or 999 in an emergency, quoting reference number P14183236.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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