Survivors disappointed after no apology offered over mental hospital abuse

Former patients of the Wolston Park Mental Hospital reported sexual abuse, beatings and chemical restraint. (ABC News: Christopher Gillette)

Health Minister Tim Nicholls has acknowledged the trauma of Brisbane's Wolston Park Mental Hospital in parliament, but did not apologise on behalf of the state government.

Every former child patient interviewed as part of a 12-month review into the facility alleged they were sexually assaulted at the hospital.

Former patients and their families say a public apology would go a long way in helping right the past wrongs.

Victims of alleged abuse at a Queensland mental health facility say they are disappointed after the state's health minister chose not to offer a public apology during parliamentary Question Time.

Former patients of Brisbane's Wolston Park Mental Hospital and family members had attended parliament on Thursday for an afternoon tea organised by the Labor opposition.

Many of them had signed a petition urging the government to publicly apologise for the harm caused to patients while in the Queensland government's care.

An ABC investigation sparked a 12-month review into patient allegations of sexual abuse, beatings and chemical restraint from the 1950s to 1980s.

Wolston Park closed in 2001, but, for decades, it has been at the centre of disturbing allegations of abuse and chemical restraint. Now, patients' stories have been published alongside a report.

Up to 83 staff, patients, and family members expressed interest in the review, led by social worker Robert Bland.

All of the former child patients interviewed alleged they had been sexually assaulted at the mental hospital.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls was asked on Thursday by the opposition whether he would apologise on behalf of the state government to victims of Wolston Park who had suffered abuse.

Mr Nicholls "acknowledged the trauma, upset and harm" affecting survivors but stopped short of an apology.

Former patient Debbie Manson says an apology would go a long way. (ABC News: Glen Armstrong)

A former patient of Wolston Park, Debbie Manson, told the ABC a public apology would go a long way to righting past wrongs by the state government.

"It doesn't go far enough, and it needs to be a very clear, articulate apology to all former patients for all the wrongs.

Kerry Carrington says an acknowledgement does not go far enough. (ABC News: Justin Huntsdale)

Ms Carrington said the point was not for the minister to take personal responsibility.

"It's not about individuals," she said. "It's a very simple step to restore harmony and justice and cr