Winterbourne View Hospital and the Transforming Care Programme

Mr. Henry reflected on the Winterbourne View scandal and praised the Government's efforts to reform mental health care through the White Paper. He emphasized the need for a shift from in-patient care to community support, ensuring proper resources are available when individuals leave facilities. Mr. Henry also called for an evaluation of current services and a detailed outline of expanded community support, highlighting the importance of early intervention and consistent lifelong support.

Expressed gratitude for the debate on Winterbourne View and highlighted the importance of reducing in-patient levels for people with disabilities or autism to less than half of those in 2015 by March 2023 or 2024. Stressed the need for community-based support, personal health budgets, and mental health hubs.

Reminded Members of the rules and procedures for participating in the debate, including technical instructions and time limits.

Ms Hayes expressed deep concern over the failure to transform care for people with learning disabilities and autism since the Winterbourne View scandal, noting that around 2,000 individuals remain in inappropriate hospitals. She highlighted cases like Matthew Garnett's who endured distressing conditions at St Andrew's hospital before being transferred to a community-based setting where he thrived. Ms Hayes criticised the lack of political will and funding for proper care transformation, urging the Government to stop funding private hospital placements that often cause more harm than good.

Paid tribute to Dame Cheryl Gillan for her work on autism, mentioned the Autism Act 2009 and the need for better support. Highlighted that 2,040 autistic people are still in in-patient mental health hospitals, with an increase from 38% to 56%. Raised concerns about over-medication, seclusion and unnecessary restraint. Emphasised the importance of community-based support and called for significant investment in better social care and mental health services.

Mr Lopresti highlighted the systematic abuse at Winterbourne View Hospital, which occurred in his constituency. He criticised the lack of action on safe-guarding alerts and police reliance on hospital information. He praised some government measures but noted that more improvements were needed to ensure patient safety.

The MP highlighted the repeated failure to move people with learning disabilities and autism out of long-stay institutions since the Winterbourne View scandal. She detailed examples of abuse, including staff threatening and physically abusing patients, and discussed missed targets for reducing in-patient beds. The MP questioned why data on restrictive interventions is not consistently reported by all providers and suggested establishing a Number 10 unit to drive reform.

Mr. Harper highlighted the missed commitments by the Government regarding Transforming Care targets, emphasizing the need for social care reform that includes people of working age with disabilities. He questioned whether the 50% reduction in in-patient beds target is ambitious enough and asked about accountability mechanisms to ensure NHS England meets its objectives. Asked the Minister whether the Government's position remains that a 50% reduction in hospital placements for people with learning disabilities is the right end state, and if so, requested publication of analysis supporting this target. Inquired about the publication of milestones in care plans.

Expressed shock at the continuing levels of abuse in assessment and treatment units a decade after Winterbourne View. Criticised the slow progress on reducing admissions and building community support, citing high levels of physical and chemical restraint and widespread use of anti-psychotic medication.