Alan Rosenbach
Care Quality Commission, 2011
Winterbourne View was a hospital for the assessment and treatment of people with learning disabilities who had additional complex needs such as mental health problems or conditions such as epilepsy or autistic spectrum disorders. It was run by Castlebeck (Teesdale) Ltd. It closed in June 2011 following a BBC Panorama programme expose about the abuse of patients at the hospital which raised concerns about the failure of the health and social care system to protect some of the most vulnerable individuals in its care.
A senior member of staff at the hospital raised serious concerns about the care provided at Winterbourne View, initially with the management of the hospital, then with the South Gloucestershire Adult Safeguarding Team and finally with Care Quality Commission. The Care Quality Commission has already acknowledged that it did not respond as effectively as it would have wanted in response to the whistleblowing concerns.
In response to the serious issues raised about the care at Winterbourne View, the Care Quality Commission undertook to carry out an internal management review to establish a full and comprehensive picture about the regulation of the hospital from the time of its registration as a provider of services to the time of its closure following the failures of care.
N.B. This internal review was carried out in October 2011, but the publication was delayed until the outcome of the criminal proceedings against 11 care workers at Winterbourne View.
The Serious Case Review into Winterbourne View can be read here.
Mencap have also published a report on the abuse and neglect of people with learning disabilities in residential care. It can be read here.
See also Jim Kennedy’s blog for further comment.
