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Winterbourne View Hospital and the Transforming Care Programme
10 June 2021
Lead MP
Barbara Keeley
Worsley and Eccles South
Lab
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentForeign AffairsCulture, Media & SportMental Health
Word Count: 13564
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Barbara Keeley raised concerns about winterbourne view hospital and the transforming care programme in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should take urgent action to end the use of detention for those trapped in these institutions and commit substantial funding for community social care services. The minister must also provide details on promised adult social care reform that will increase local authority funding to support independent living for all individuals requiring assistance.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the ongoing abuse of autistic people and those with learning disabilities in inappropriate institutions, which was first exposed by a BBC 'Panorama' programme ten years ago. The scandal at Winterbourne View Hospital involved staff physically abusing residents and mocking them. Since then, similar abuse has been uncovered in other units like Whorlton Hall, indicating systemic failures across the board. Despite broken promises to reduce such placements, more than 2,000 people are still detained in inappropriate institutions today, highlighting a failure of Governments over the past decade.
Darren Henry
Con
Broxtowe
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.
Duncan Baker
Con
Westminster North
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.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Reminded Members of the rules and procedures for participating in the debate, including technical instructions and time limits.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
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.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
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.
Jack Lopresti
Con
Filton and Bradley Stoke
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.
Liz Kendall
Lab
Leicester West
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.
Mark Harper
Con
Farningham and Holborough
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.
Paul Bristow
Con
Yeovil
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.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
The minister outlined efforts to reduce in-patient care for those with learning disabilities and autism, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2025. She discussed the importance of robust inspections by the CQC, identifying best practices, improving transitions into adulthood, addressing judicial restrictions, funding issues, housing availability, and workforce needs. The minister highlighted investments including £40 million in community support and preventing avoidable admissions, with specific funds for discharges from mental health hospitals and crisis prevention. She also mentioned plans to publish a delivery plan addressing the CQC's 'Out of sight' review recommendations soon.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.