Department of Health, 2012
A BBC Panorama programme on 31 May 2011 featured systemic abuse of patients within Winterbourne View, an independent hospital run by Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Ltd.
The Department has issued a dear colleague letter to the NHS and local authorities setting out action that needs to be taken forward by NHS bodies and local authorities. People with learning disabilities continue to face real health inequalities and it remains a priority for the NHS to work to improve health outcomes for this excluded group.
The letter also reminds commissioners of the minimum action that is expected to be taken in order to improve standards at a local level. Agencies were requested to appoint a lead commissioner to coordinate the work of all commissioners of patients and residents for any facility where CQC has advised that regulatory action may need to be taken in order to ensure the welfare of the individual residents.
To read the pdf in full click here
Learning Disability Today has also published an interview with Terry Bryan, the whistleblower who brought the events at Winterbourne View to public attention. The interview can be read here.
