Four arrested after ‘Panorama’ abuse investigation
The Government has ordered an urgent review into the “inhumane” abuse of people with learning disabilities at a residential hospital.
Police arrested four people after secret filming by BBC Panorama showed vulnerable adults at Winterbourne View, in Bristol, being punched, slapped and taunted by carers.
Three men, aged 42, 30 and 25, and a 24-year-old woman have now been released on bail by Avon and Somerset police.
Care services minister Paul Burstow ordered a “thorough examination” of the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the social care services regulator – and local authorities in the case.
He also asked the CQC to carry out a series of unannounced inspections of similar services.
Thirteen members of staff, including two managers, have been suspended by the hospital’s owners Castlebeck.
During five weeks of undercover filming in February and March, patients were seen being pinned down, slapped, doused in cold water and repeatedly taunted and teased.
Mr Burstow said: “The abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View uncovered by Panorama is shocking.
“There can be no place for such inhumanity in care services. I have already asked CQC to undertake a series of unannounced inspections of similar services.
“There have been failures of inspection and adult protection which have exposed people to appalling abuse.
“I have already ordered a thorough examination of the roles of both CQC and the local authorities in this case. I am determined to strengthen the system of safeguarding to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the case was “clearly very shocking” but insisted it was too early to draw wider conclusions.
Asked if CQC had sufficient resources, he told reporters: “Clearly there have been failures in this case. We need to look at that before drawing any conclusions.”
Winterbourne View is a privately-run hospital which cares for up to 24 patients, employs around 50 members of staff and is funded by taxpayers.
