Learning
Disability England is appalled at the conditions at St Andrews Hospital that
were shown in the Dispatches documentary Under
Lock and Key, but sadly not surprised. Our thoughts are with the
people and families who have suffered and continue to suffer because of the
poor care at St Andrews Hospital.
We
don’t believe that institutions like St Andrews should be operating as part of
a modern health and social care system for people with learning disabilities
and have long been advocating the development of good housing and support in
people’s communities.
We ask
NHS England to urgently review all patients that they fund at St Andrews with
the aim of moving them to alternative services as quickly as possible.
We ask
the Care Quality Commission to carry out an urgent review of their hospital
inspection system for learning disability hospitals and ensure that those
currently receiving services at St Andrews Hospital are safe.
We want
to see the government carry out a full review of how St Andrews Hospital has
been able to continue to operate despite government and NHS England
commitment and investment into community services. The findings of such a review should be
published in full.
We
want a review of all Learning Disability provision in places like St Andrews. This is what happened following the dreadful
abuse at Winterbourne View when 150 places were inspected. We want to know what
has changed since then and what impact the Transforming Care agenda has had in
terms of ensuring that people are supported appropriately in the community.
Gary
Bourlet, Co-Founder of LDE says:
“Institutions like St
Andrews are inhumane, socially unacceptable and show the lack of respect there
is for people with learning disabilities. These places are like prisons. People
with learning disabilities are being sent to them not because they’ve committed
a crime, but because of their disability. They’re hidden away from the public
like in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are robbed of
their choice and their power. The effect of being in places like St Andrews is
damaging. It doesn’t just affect people with learning disabilities – it affects
their families and the people around them. They’ve been punished as well.
The fact that places
like St Andrews have not been shut down shows that somebody’s not listening.
Nobody’s listening. The fact that these places still exist shows that the
medical profession still thinks that they know best.”
Sheila
Moorcroft, a member of LDE’s steering group and a parent of a young man with a
learning disability says:
“As the parent of a young man with autism and
moderate learning difficulties, my heart goes out to any family whose child is
‘consigned’, (and that feels like the appropriate word), to such an
institution. Many people with autism and learning difficulties successfully
lead active lives in the community. Yes,
they need a lot of care and support; yes, it costs money. But as with so many
of the debates about the NHS, money and inappropriate use of beds, I would lay
odds on good care in the community being far cheaper, not to mention far better
for the person, in the long run. I would simply ask: would those commissioners
who send these vulnerable adults to such a place, to be treated like that, be
willing to send their own family member?
If the answer is no, then no one else should have to endure it
either. If the answer is yes, I am
worried for all of us.”
Peter
Kinsey, CEO of CMG says:
“There is a great
deal of expertise within organisations that provide community support and the
vast majority of people in hospitals can live successfully in their communities
with the right support.”
Alicia
Wood, CEO of LDE says:
“We have had recent concerns about the
services at St Andrews Hospital for people with learning disabilities and have
offered to gather members with expertise to speak with the St Andrews
management team and board about the problems we have seen and heard from our
members. They declined our offer of advice and support. This demonstrates an
organisation that is in no way ready to reflect on what they do and operate transparently,
let alone provide effective assessment and treatment to people who are in
crisis. Spending vast amounts of public money on poor services where people who
need help are abused and neglected is shameful.”
Support for people
concerned following the screening of 'Under Lock and Key'
Respond
is one of Learning Disability England’s members. They work with children and adults with
learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those
who have abused others. The Respond support line is open 10.00am to 4.00pm on
Thursdays during March. Outside of these
times, please see this document from LDE member the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
