CQC to introduce random inspections after BBC uncovers serious abuse

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is to launch random inspections of hospitals that cater for adults with learning disabilities, following a BBC Panorama programme last night that exposed serious abuses.

Panorama showed “appalling standards of care” the commission said, at Winterbourne View, a private hospital for people with learning disabilities near Bristol, owned by care firm Castlebeck.

The commission said it would launch a programme of risk-based and random unannounced inspections of a sample of the 150 hospitals providing care for people with learning disabilities.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “People deserve to receive safe and effective care. That's what we expect from every care provider.

“I have confirmed with CQC that they should undertake a series of unannounced inspections of services for people with learning disabilities.

“These unannounced inspections into care for people with learning disabilities will help inform future policy and focus attention on the 7/24 care obligation all providers have.”

The commission has admitted that it failed to act quickly enough on disclosures by whistleblowers last autumn. “We recognise that there were indications of problems at this hospital which should have led to us taking action sooner,” it said in a statement. “We apologise to those who have been let down by our failure to act more swiftly to address the appalling treatment that people at this hospital were subjected to.”

It has launched a review of its own actions relating to Winterbourne View, and another review of all Castlebeck’s facilities.

The CQC said was contacted by a former member of staff on 6 December, having already been advised of whistleblowing concerns by South Gloucestershire Council at the end of November.  It said South Gloucestershire set up a safeguarding meeting “to look at these issues which, though concerning, were not as detailed or specific as the information revealed by Panorama”.

The commission assumed the concerns were being examined but found the safeguarding meeting did not take place until February.

“We recognise that had we contacted the whistleblower ourselves directly after we received the email we would have been alerted to the seriousness of the situation and moved swiftly to inspect the hospital,” it said.
Lee Reed, Castlebeck’s chief executive officer, said: “I was shocked, disgusted and ashamed by what I saw on Panorama tonight.

“Having spent my entire career in health and social care, I intend to leave no stone unturned to ensure that this type of horrific event is never allowed to happen again.

“I have been chief executive since January, and my priority is the patients under our care. My job now is to ensure that this company moves forward from this appalling episode to having among the best, if not the very best, standards in the provision of care for some of the most vulnerable people in society”.

Meanwhile Avon and Somerset Police have said that four people have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the allegations.