Police are reported to have arrested four people after secret filming by the BBC found a pattern of serious abuse at a residential hospital in Bradley Stoke.
Last night’s BBC Panorama programme exposed a catalogue of shocking incidents at Winterbourne View [map], a residential care home for adults with learning disabilities, which is located in the Vantage Business Park (off Old Gloucester Road).
The hospital’s private sector operator, Castlebeck, has apologised unreservedly and suspended 13 employees.
Patients and staff from the home help to maintain the orienteering course in Bradley Stoke’s Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve as part of a community-based therapy project (The Journal reported in September 2008).
Read more:
A truly shocking program that was very moving. The “carers” (and I use that term in the loosest sense of the word) appeared to be nothing short of sadists and will hopefully receive very long custodial sentences.
However I suspect this is the tip of a massive iceberg and with a very weak quango running inspections, a flawed whistle blowing policy and seemingly no NHS oversight even though they pay £3500 per patient per week who is going to perform the root and branch overhaul?
I am still angry today at what was happening on our doorstep.
Three men aged 42, 30 and 25 and a woman aged 24 years have been arrested on suspicion of assault/mistreatment of patients under the Mental Capacity Act.
Read more: Police arrest four on suspicion of assault (Avon and Somerset Police)
Statement from Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti:
“The footage shown on last night’s Panorama was shocking and haunting. To me the actions of some of the members of staff at Winterbourne View Hospital amounted to torture and assault against some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
“I have now written to the local PCT, the Quality Care Commission and Castlebeck Care concerning the future of the facility and for the outcomes of internal enquiries.”
“Serious failures were clearly made by those responsible for the patient’s well-being and care and these should be rectified and strong action taken as soon as possible.”
Writing on the FT’s Westminster Blog, Kiran Stacey claims that the only two reviews being conducted are by organisations most likely to be criticised for their role in the scandal:
Not very independent investigations into Bristol care home
The Winterbourne View scandal has prompted Health Minister Paul Burstow to announce that details of ‘safeguarding’ boards for vulnerable adults, similar to those already in place for children, are to be published within a fortnight:
Ministers to strengthen safeguards for adults in care (BBC)
South Gloucestershire Council was strongly criticised by the BBC on last night’s Points West programme for refusing to provide a further statement.
This is what they had to say on 1st June:
Statement from the Safeguarding Adults Board
The BBC reports that police have made a further two arrests:
Winterbourne care home: More arrests over alleged abuse
Avon and Somerset Police say they have arrested a further three people, making a total of nine:
Police arrest further three people in hospital investigation
The BBC reports another two arrests (now eleven in total):
Winterbourne View hospital care abuse: Two more arrests
Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti has hardened his line and is now calling for an independent inquiry and the closure of Winterbourne View:
MP calls for closure of disgraced care home
A new statement from South Gloucestershire Council:
The South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board has appointed Margaret Flynn to chair the serious case review looking into the allegations of abuse at Winterbourne View private hospital.
The review will examine the effectiveness of the safeguarding system and processes as they applied to Winterbourne View hospital.
Margaret Flynn has extensive experience of adult protection work and is chair of Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board, as well as being a highly regarded independent consultant. She has conducted many serious case reviews across the UK and is also joint editor of the Journal of Adult Protection.
The serious case review will establish whether there are lessons to be learnt from the circumstances of the case, about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard vulnerable adults.
It is expected to commence in July and a report on the findings will be made publicly available.
Press release issued today (Monday 20th June) by Jack Lopresti MP:
Earlier today Jack Lopresti MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke met with Mr Lee Reed, the Chief Executive of Castlebeck, in Westminster to discuss the future of the Winterbourne View Hospital.
Mr Lopresti said:
“Following my calls for the closure of Winterbourne View Hospital I have now met with the Chief Executive of Castlebeck, Mr Lee Reed. Mr Reed confirmed to me that Winterbourne View Hospital is to close on Friday this week.”
“Mr Reed gave me his assurances that the closure of the hospital will be conducted in as sensitive a way as possible so that little or no disruption will be caused to the on-going care of the patients.”
“I stand by my call for the hospital’s closure and I am pleased that Castlebeck have come to the same conclusion. Given the horrific events which have taken place at Winterbourne View I believe its future running is un-tenable.”
“The most important consideration is that the patients and their families receive what they need. I understand that by Friday all patients will have been relocated and will continue their care at other hospitals.”
That is excellent news, hopefully the patients will now recieve the care they require but in a respectful, safe environment.
Roll on the trials of those former staff.
Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb has criticised the Care Quality Commission for failing to act and challenged South Gloucestershire Council for its public silence after events at Winterbourne View.
MP receives apology over care scandal (Evening Post)
Avon and Somerset Police say they have made another arrest, a 27-year-old man from the South Gloucestershire area, bringing the total number of arrests to twelve:
Police arrest further three people in hospital investigation
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report on the results of its inspection of services at Winterbourne View:
CQC report on Winterbourne View confirms its owners failed to protect people from abuse
The BBC reports that South Gloucestershire Council received 19 “referrals of concern” from managers and staff at Winterbourne View between the time the hospital opened in 2006 and 12th May 2011, when the authority learned of the Panorama programme.
Winterbourne View workers raised staff behaviour fears