Care workers charged with ill treatment and neglect

Posted 30/11/2011

Ten care workers have been charged with ill treatment and neglect offences under the Mental Capacity Act following a Panorama programme which covertly filmed the abuse firsthand in a home for disabled individuals with autism and learning difficulties. The privately owned 24 bed home, Winterbourne View in Bristol, was closed down after the BBC investigation and footage was aired in May of this year.Sharon Allison, a medical injury Lawyer at Ashtons Legal who acts for people who have suffered some form of injury or long-term harm as a result of inadequate care, says: “This is an incredibly shocking and sad story. It is depressing on so many levels. Sadly the care industry does not always attract individuals who have the correct training or expertise to work with highly vulnerable individuals in volatile environments. Andrew Lansley, Minister for Health, recently announced plans for all healthcare workers to be voluntarily registered so that their training and development can be monitored for patient safety. This has already been criticised by the Royal College of Nursing and academics as being ‘too weak to improve patient safety’. Some form of regulation, monitoring of skills and training has to be a positive step forward. However, the creation and implementation of such a scheme if it goes ahead, sadly, is likely to take some considerable time.”