Scope statement on Panorama

2 June 2011

In response to the Panorama expose of Winterbourne View hospital, Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of disability charity Scope, said:

"We are utterly shocked at the horrific scenes exposed by Panorama. The programme raises absolutely critical issues – not just about the care home in question but about the treatment of disabled people in general.

"Disabled people can still experience hate crime and discrimination on a daily basis. But when it happens at the hands of people whose job it is to support them, it is all the more disturbing.

"Action has rightly been taken against the people responsible; questions have been raised about the role of the Care Quality Commission. But this should be a wake-up call to every provider, commissioner and inspector of services. No organisation can be complacent when it comes to safeguarding.

"It is absolutely crucial that disabled people know what their rights are, have high expectations on how they should be treated and know what to do if their care falls below this standard.

"At the same time staff that work with disabled people must be properly recruited, vetted, supervised and trained to put the individual at the centre of their care.

"The only way to prevent a repeat of these appalling crimes is a commitment to fostering an environment where safeguarding is seen as everyone’s business and concerns are dealt with decisively at all levels.

"In particular this highlights how important it is to have an independent regulator with the power and capacity to take swift and effective action."

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