Who Cares?

1 June 2011

Ask three learning disability charities who have joined forces to condemn the appalling abuse uncovered by Panorama investigator Paul Kenyon in last night's BBC1 programme 'Undercover Care: the Abuse Exposed'

People with learning disabilities and other vulnerable patients were subjected to physical assaults, systematic brutality, and torture by the very staff supposed to be caring for them.

"The abuse detailed in the programme is shocking and disturbing, although sadly not surprising. In the last year, Voice UK's helpline has taken over 2,000 calls relating to these types of abuse in care settings, in day centres and in people's own homes. We must accept that abuse and ill treatment of people with learning difficulties, and others, exists and redouble our efforts to ensure we do all we can to stop it" says Kathryn Stone OBE, CEO at Voice UK.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, but the latest in a long line of cases where staff in publicly funded care homes and hospitals have been found to abuse residents.

"The warning signs will have been present but this is yet another example of these being ignored and abuse being allowed to continue unreported. We have to ensure that systems are in place that give staff the confidence to raise concerns and to be listened to', says Deborah Kitson, CEO at the Ann Craft Trust.

It is also indicative of the discrimination faced by people with learning disabilities, who are not only considered inferior by some people but are less likely to be believed and taken as seriously than other patients when they try to report abuse.

"A big part of the problem is poor training – staff don't know good practice and don't recognise the value of people with learning disabilities" explains Richard Curen, CEO at Respond. "Managers also do not always get the training on how to tackle abuse and respond appropriately to whistleblowers' concerns. We call on all care organisations to make sure that all their staff are properly trained."

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