Reform for care of adults with learning disabilities criticised for being slow
- 14 Jul
There is an “absence of any tangible progress” since the care of people in learning disabilities in England was reviewed.
Following the care home abuse scandal at Winterbourne, Sir Stephen Bubb headed a review into care home abuse, which was published in November, reports the BBC.
England's chief nursing officer said improvements must be made "at a fast but safe pace".
Sir Stephen said that although the number of people being discharged from Winterbourne-style institutions was now greater than those being admitted, "it remains abundantly clear that a revolving door of discharges and admissions will continue unless a closure and transition programme is acted on".
He said although NHS England had made it a "top strategic objective" to improve conditions for people with learning disabilities, "the pace of change remains slow, and this is unacceptable".
He said this six-month review should be treated as a "warning call" ahead of a "formal stock take of actions" in a further six months' time.
"The core recommendation of my report was the need to close these institutions as quickly as possible and you can't close them until there is good strong community provision - people with learning disabilities and their families deserve action now. There's huge scepticism that anything will happen. NHS England needs to prove them wrong. And until I see action on the ground I will continue to (hold the) government to account."
In a joint statement, Jan Tregelles, chief executive of Mencap, and Viv Cooper, chief executive of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, said change would not happen unless community services were improved.
"This must include investing in a highly skilled community workforce to support children and adults with a learning disability to meet their individual needs," they said.
Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England and chairwoman of the Transforming Care Delivery Board, said: "All the agencies involved in this work are clear that while a great deal of progress has been made we still have lots to do to transform and improve care for people with learning disabilities. We are committed to driving through changes at a fast but safe pace, we are on track to do so, and I will be setting out the closure and re-provision plans in October as previously announced."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 10 Sep
Young people with learning disabilities more likely to be abused
A group of children’s charities have said that young people with disabilities have the “same vulnerabilities” as all young people but face extra “barriers” to getting protection or support,...
- 07 Sep
Success for a disability sport programme
The programme ran for three weeks and included multi-sport camps at Aberdeen Sports Village, reports the Mearns Leader. Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee...
- 21 Jul
Hartlepool to open a disability centre
Work has begun on the Hartlepool Borough Council project which aims to provide the Centre for Independent Living on the site of the current Havelock Centre in Burbank, reports The Hartlepool Mail.It...
- 18 Jun
Campaigners warn that people with disabilities are losing rights due to government cuts
Charities are concerned that the rights of people with learning disabilities to live independent lives are slipping due to government cuts to benefits and social care, reports the Guardian. A letter...
- 11 Jun
Concern over disability benefits following council change
On the 30th of June a £500m Independent Living Fund will be in the control of local authorities, leaving people fearing how the benefit allowance for disabled adults will be affected, reports the...
- 21 May
Victims of disability hate crime are being let down
Police, prosecutors and probations services have failed to bring in need change over the past two years, a report by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate has found, reports the BBC.The CPS, police and...
- 08 May
New initiative to support young people with disabilities
Liberty Staffordshire Community Interest Company have been developed to maximise opportunities for young people due to growing concern they could be left isolated following the withdrawal of...
- 05 May
How technology is helping people with disabilities
At the exhibit people presented all-terrain wheelchairs, adapted smartphone for people whose fingers can't cope with normal devices, wheelchairs that allow the user to become level with the people...
- 01 May
Charities call for action on accessible housing
Leonard Cheshire Disability charity has told The Yorkshire Post that the lack of housing which is accessible for people with disabilities must become and election issue and is calling for the...
- 01 May
Worcestershire to hold a Learning Disability Day
The day will be held on Wednesday 10th June at King George V Community Centre in Ash Avenue, Brickfields, Worcester and is free for everyone to attend between 10am till 3pm, reports Worcester...
Support Solutions 5th National Housing Support & Social Care Conference 2014 Good organisation from beginning to end. Excellent keynote speaker. Relevant and important topics for discussion which were to everyone's advantage within the supported housing sector. B.H - Stevenage Haven
