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Demand for action on Winterbourne View
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Learning disability sector calls for Prime Minister to commit to 15 actions
Mencap is among 86 learning disability organisations and individuals in the sector that have written to the Prime Minister David Cameron, calling for action in response to the abuse of people with a learning disability at Winterbourne View.
The letter states: “We were disturbed and distressed to see the evidence of abuse and service failure that was shown on the recent Panorama programme but believe that it is an almost unavoidable consequence of the continuing use of inappropriate services to support some people with learning disabilities.”
It sets out a programme of 15 actions, including:
- high-quality support for the individuals and families affected by the abuse at Winterbourne View
- in the short term, a framework of actions to improve standards in learning disability hospital services
- in the long term, the replacement of hospital services with individualised services
- improvements to the regulatory framework, including the development of more effective systems for safeguarding quality by the Care Quality Commission, the government and other stakeholders
- a two-year programme by the NHS Commissioning Board and local government (and involving people with a learning disability and families) to support local commissioners to deliver national policy
- the implementation of policy described in the Mansell report, monitored by the Care Quality Commission
- an in-depth study of the cost and outcomes of different service models
- access to skilled, independent advocacy for everyone who is placed away from their home area and/or in a hospital service.
David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at Mencap, said: “Many of the actions we propose are already government policy – policy that simply is not being implemented at a local level. Other ideas are logical steps forward in the light of the Panorama programme – such as preventing future placements in learning disability hospitals and in the interim requiring everyone in such institutions to have access to an independent advocate.”
The letter also raises concerns that learning from abuse scandals in Cornwall and Sutton and Merton appear to have been forgotten, and that the end to a national Valuing People Now team could increase the risk of poor-quality services.
Winterbourne View is an English service, but the letter urges action across the UK. As well as work to prevent abuse of people with a learning disability, it calls for action on abuse of older people and people who use mental health services.
In addition to Mencap, other organisations that have signed the letter include the National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities, the British Institute for Learning Disabilities, the National Development Team for Inclusion and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
Read an easy-read version of the letter
Comments
I have tried without success to obtain information of how the Local Authority that has a duty of care of my son and his wife, both of whom have a learning disability, will monitor and inspect outsourced/contracted services. Their support services are under review in relation to them being contracted out. Their reply is that when contracts are awarded I can apply for information on thier standards through the Freedom of Information Act. They have consistently refused to give me information on their inspection and monitoring responsibilties and processes, and/ or how they will ensure them in in future.
I know of few if any learning disabled people who could access this Act. Many learning disabled people have no parents or elderly and infirm carers so.....access the Freedom of Information Act?. How?
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It surely would be useful to all concerned if all LA's work in partnership with all concerned, and with people with learning disability in particular, to first of all identify the criteria required to ensure the happiness and wellbeing of people for whom they have a duty of care. And as importantly, agree in partnership prior to awarding contracts, the monitoring process the LA's will implement. LA's could be helped ensure that their inspection processes work and protect the vulnerable, if they do this.
All these requirements were examined and reported on on the Longcare report.
Have the LA's who placed the people who were harmed and failed to inspect this hospital been named? The Care Quality Commision can only be effective with the co-operation of LA's, and the predictable responses by LA's, of of defensiveness and counter blame, have to be challenged and changed?
I can assure you that cornwall hasn't forgetten about its scandals. Been trying to get some answers for the link between Cornwall and Winterbourne but been met with resistence. On the verge of leaving home as at the moment not getting the support which l need.