Councillors hear about new use for Winterbourne View

Bradley Stoke Town Councillors have been given a briefing about a proposed new use for the former Winterbourne View care home [map], which was the centre of a patient abuse scandal exposed by the BBC’s Panorama programme last year.

Ten carers previously employed at the former secure hospital for adults with learning difficulties have since pleaded guilty to charges of ill-treatment and/or neglect of patients. An eleventh denies two charges of ill-treating one woman and one charge of ill-treatment of a male resident and is due to face a trial starting today at Bristol Crown Court.

Last week’s presentation to the Town Council’s Planning Committee was made by representatives of Glenside Manor Healthcare Services, which announced in April that it had acquired the Winterbourne View site and planned to re-open it as a hospital for individuals with complex neurological conditions.

Glenside says it will be investing over £1.5m in refurbishing and adapting the facility, which is expected to reopen as ‘Glenside Bristol’ in 2013.

Planning proposals for the site are due to be submitted to South Gloucestershire Council this week. Councillors were told they will involve no increase in the footprint of the building – the number of bedrooms will be increased from the existing 24 to 30 and a full internal redecoration will be carried out.

The company says it expects to employ just under 100 staff once the facility is fully operational, adding that it aims to employ local staff where possible. Whilst a large number of the posts will be for qualified staff, Glenside says it offers a first class induction and training programme for those with no prior experience.

Read more: Glenside Bristol (Glenside Manor Healthcare Services)

Related link: Jobs in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)