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In 2011, the Winterbourne View scandal revealed appalling & criminal abuse of people with learning disabilities & autism in hospital inpatient units. Today we hear, once again, too little has changed. 1/6. Timeline: Winterbourne View abuse scandal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20078999
In 2012 there were 3,400 people in long stay institutions. Govt’s review into scandal promised to move them out of hospital & into community by June 2014. I vividly remember this, not least bcos it was my 1st Urgent Question as a shadow health minister 2/6 https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-12-10a.49.0&s=speaker%3A24920
The Govt failed to achieve this &, alongside many other organisations, @UKLabour campaigned to end the use of inpatient units for people with learning disabilities & autism 3/6
https://www.nursingtimes.net › rolesLabour pushes for transfer of vulnerable patients from ATUs ...
https://www.nursingtimes.net › rolesLabour pushes for transfer of vulnerable patients from ATUs ...
In Nov 2014 a review by @StephenBubb called for urgent action, which Govt again promised to deliver - this time by 2016. At the time I said the missed deadline was a total disgrace & warned Bubb review "risks gathering dust alongside all the others". https://www.itv.com/news/2014-11-26/immediate-action-needed-to-improve-learning-disability-care 4/6
This has sadly proved to be the case. 9 years after the original scandal, there are still 2,100 people with learning disabilities or Autism in inpatient units, nos are going up not down, & 5,500 incidents of restraint have been recorded during lockdown https://www.mencap.org.uk/press-release/shocking-levels-physical-restraint-over-medication-and-solitary-confinement-used 5/6
The Govt’s failure to end this scandal is unacceptable and must change. We need leadership, grip and focus from Ministers & @NHSEngland and for the views of people with learning disabilities and autism, & their families, to drive fundamental and lasting change. ENDS
