Watchdog criticises substandard care

An investigation has revealed "institutionalised" neglect of people with learning disabilities at a Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The Healthcare Commission report detailed how outmoded, institutionalised care had led to the neglect of people with learning disabilities at Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust.

The report described some of the environments as "impoverished and completely unsatisfactory."

It found staff were not properly trained or supported to provide an acceptable level of care, and inadequate levels of staff meant that people were often left day in day out with little to occupy their time.

Failures in management and leadership at all levels, from managers to the trust's board were slammed in the report.

Healthcare Commission Chief Executive Anna Walker said: "The standard of services at Sutton and Merton was simply not acceptable in the 21st century. Orchard Hill Hospital is an institution and should be closed as soon as it is possible to place residents in appropriate alternative care settings."

Sutton and Merton PCT wrote to the Commission in January last year to request an independent investigation of its services for people with learning disabilities.

The Trust had been concerned by a number of serious incidents.

The Commission's investigation team found that, in most cases, the trust had followed correct procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults when responding to these serious incidents.

However, the report detailed a series of failings by the trust to provide safe and adequate care for people with learning disabilities.

Ms Walker said: "Some of the findings are classic examples of staff being unaware that certain practices are no longer acceptable and could in some cases constitute abuse. This report should not be seen as a condemnation of individual members of staff, some of whom even worked on their days off to ensure adequate cover. But they were often not sufficiently trained or supported to provide adequate care."

Orchard Hill Hospital is set to close by 2009 with most of the people to be relocated by the end of 2008.

The Commission has announced that the learning disability audit will include the inspection of up to 200 NHS and private services.

(SP/KMcA)