Earlier today, a judge handed down the sentences for four former members of staff convicted of ill-treating patients at Whorlton Hall. The four men have received suspended sentences of four months, three months, and six weeks respectively, along with over 200 hours of unpaid work each.
 
Dan Scorer, head of policy and public affairs at learning disability charity Mencap, said:
 
"Today's sentencing shows that people who abuse and neglect in health and care settings will be held to account and have to face up to the pain and suffering they have caused.  It must never be tolerated.  
 
But with over 2,000 people with a learning disability and/or autistic people still locked away in inpatient mental health hospitals, change cannot come soon enough to end the inappropriate detention of people in institutions. Many are there due to a lack of the right community support, including the right social care and suitable housing – not because they have a mental health condition.  
 
“The Government needs to urgently reform the Mental Health Act and invest in social care provision to stop a new generation of people become trapped in these places. People with a learning disability can live fulfilled happy lives within their community, but only if the funding, support and housing is in place. "
 

For further information or to arrange an interview with a  Mencap  spokesperson or case study , please contact Mencap’s media team on: media@mencap.org.uk or 02076965414 (including out of hours).