The Care Quality Commission checks whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting government standards. Visit our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Our action since Winterbourne View
In May 2011, the BBC’s Panorama programme highlighted serious abuse and appalling standards of care at Winterbourne View, a private hospital for people with learning disabilities.
In response to the issues raised by the investigation, we:
- carried out four inspections at Winterbourne View
- suspended admissions to the hospital
- started regulatory action against its owner, Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Ltd.
The company did not challenge the action and the hospital closed in June 2011.
Read more
Read our press release on Winterbourne View
Castlebeck review
We have also now completed a review of all the facilities run by Castlebeck and announced a programme of unannounced inspections of 150 services for people with learning disabilities.
On 28 July 2011, we published the results of our review of all services run by the Castlebeck Group. We produced an overview of the review and individual reports for each service.
Read our press release about the results of the review:
CQC calls on Castlebeck to make root and branch improvements
Learning disability inspections
Following the Panorama investigation, we wrote to Care Services Minister Paul Burstow proposing the launch of a programme of risk-based and random unannounced inspections. He supported this proposal.
The first phase of this programme will involve the 150 services for people with learning disabilities. The second phase will then use the learning from these inspections to look at a sample of other registered services.
Read an update on our inspection programme: Review of learning disability inspections
Whistleblowing
The allegations of abuse only came to light in the first place when concerns were raised by a former charge nurse, Terry Bryan. CQC has acknowledged that his intervention has led to this close examination of services for people with learning disabilities.
If you work in a health or adult social care service and want to highlight abuse or raise concerns then you can contact us.
Serious case review
South Gloucestershire Council has instigated a serious case review, which will investigate the role of all relevant organisations including Castlebeck, the organisations that commissioned treatment for patients, the local safeguarding arrangements and CQC.
We have commenced an own internal review to establish why we did not initially take effective action in relation to the concerns that were raised by Terry Bryan and that report will be submitted to the independent chair of the serious case review. This report will be published later in the year.
Report a safeguarding issue
If you cannot get through to your council, you can call us on 03000 616161.
Alternatively, you can email us at: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
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