The Department of Health has published an interim report as part of a review of events at Winterbourne View private hospital and a wider investigation into how the health and care system supports vulnerable people with learning disabilities and autism. The review was set up by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow following the BBC Panorama programme, broadcast on 31 May 2011, showing abuse of patients at Winterbourne View.
The interim report sets out 14 national actions to improve the care and support of very vulnerable people with learning disabilities or autism. The report is based on the findings of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following inspections carried out at similar units to Winterbourne View at the request of Paul Burstow last year. It also draws on the experiences and views of people with learning disability, autism, and challenging behaviour and their families, and the expertise of doctors, social workers and other care professionals.
The CQC’s report, Learning Disability Services Inspection Programme: national overview (June 2012), has been published today detailing its 145 inspections. It concludes that while no abuse on the scale of Winterbourne View was found, half of the hospitals inspected failed to meet CQC standards of care. Find out more about the CQC report on the CQC website.
The CQC’s findings reinforce the need for action, and demonstrate the importance of the 14 national actions identified in the interim report to address the serious issue of bad care and possible abuse.
Paul Burstow said:
‘This report is not our last word on the shocking events at Winterbourne View. However, there is compelling evidence that some people with learning disabilities are being failed by health and care services. While people in some parts of the country receive good quality and compassionate care – near to family and friends – this is not always the norm. This is why we asked CQC to conduct their inspections and this is why we are publishing our interim report today.
‘Our national actions will mean that people have access to good care, closer to home. They will make sure those who provide care, commission care and care staff – know exactly what part they must play and what standards are expected of them.’
The Department of Health’s national actions include:
- People with learning disabilities and their families: we will promote open access for families and visitors including advocates and visiting professionals and encourage people to be involved in reviewing the care that they receive.
- Unannounced inspections: encouraging the CQC to carry out unannounced inspections at any time of the day and week and to look at how their registration requirements could be changed to improve the quality of services.
- Concordat: a national public commitment to deliver the right care for people with learning disabilities or autism and challenging behaviour will be made in the autumn by key partner organisations, including the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Local Government Association, the Royal Colleges and the NHS Commissioning Board.
- Contracts: we will work with the NHS Commissioning Board Authority to agree by January 2013 how best to embed Quality of Health Principles in the system, using NHS contracting and guidance.
The final report will be published when criminal proceedings have concluded and we will publish a follow up report one year later to make sure that progress is being made.
Read questions and answers about the interim report.
Download Department of Health Review: Winterbourne View Hospital, Interim Report (PDF 662K)
Download Winterbourne View Interim Report: Easy Read (PDF, 283K)
Download Winterbourne View Hospital Good Practice Case Studies (PDF, 213K)