Panorama - Learning Disability Hospital abuse

[BakeliteBelle]

I know it is on AIBU, but why no debate on here? Did anyone watch it?

I forced myself to watch it because one of the factors in abuse of people with learning disabilities is the fact that good people who care, stand by and do nothing because they can't bear to believe it is possible.

I cried watching it and feel so utterly distressed that as my DS reaches 18, I won't be able to care for him at home because he is too challenging, but I can't bear the thought of what might happen to him away from us...

Too, too distressing. I want those bastards to be done for torture and find out what it is to be hurt and bullied and stamped on themselves.

What the fuck are LA's funding learning disability hospitals for anyway? They were meant to have closed years ago - why on earth are private companies receiving funding to open new hospitals? It beggars belief.

I won't sleep tonight

Thanks Bakelite -will do.
I have just been doing my daily google round Winterbourne and read a rather interesting article:
www.studio3.org/winterbourne

www.studio3.org/winterbourne

Sounds great 2boys, very interesting article. I shall print it off for my daughter to take to work. Thanks for the link :)

Very interesting 2Boys. Thanks

Not much on my google trawl today.
All so quiet...
Court cases looming I guess.
Hope you all ok.

I'm looking forward to what the accused can possibly have to say, in their defence. Should be interesting.

I would not like to be on their defence team. I wouldn't be able to do it whatever money was paid!
I'd vilify 'em n end up siding with the prosecution!
How can anyone honestly defent those scum? it's beyond my understanding. Don't care how much they're paid.

Does anyone know - is Winterbourne View still open?

Yes, still open I assume. Is it 11 staff suspended now?

I think their defence team are going to have quite a job....there IS no defence unless they go for....... Poor management, stress and lack of support on the job, staff shortages, lack of training etc. The same old "I was driven to it" crap. They WILL try to blame someone. It couldn't just be that they are a bunch of sadistic bastards who enjoyed tormenting people with a mental age of 4, could it?

The qualified staff who stood by, looking on and doing nothing should be removed from the nursing governing body as they are surely unemployable in future? They not only had a humane responsibility but a professional one also.

13 suspended I think.
I think the defence for some will focus on inexperienced staff coming into a culture of abuse. On the program I think the psychologist described one of the younger workers as 'Wayne's foot soldier'. I think there will be an argument for a pecking order of evil for some in the defence.
As you say Wendihouse it does not diminish or excuse the lack of basic humanity and the sheer level of abuse and torture that went on. Defence will try though...

13 suspended and 11 arrested I think. I thought all residents had been moved from Winterbourne? Or is it only residents featured on Panorama?

How can this place still be open? How can the head of the CQC still be in post?

Wendi that's exactly what I and my daughter discussed earlier and said the same thing. BUT like I said to her, even if she'd have gone into her role at the home she works in with no experience whatsoever there is no way she would've even considered any kind of abuse. You've got to be that way inclined.
It's got to be in their nature to start with and it is a weak defence blaming the management. Although they clearly played a part and there was a distinct lack of training etc that does not account for sheer cruelty.
But I reckon that'll be the only defence anyone can offer as there really isn't anything other than blaming someone else for their vile actions.
We won't know until it is reported I suppose and even then we probably won't get the full story unless Panorama follow it up maybe...
I do not know how the head of CQC can sleep at night, never mind stay in his job! He never gave me the impression he cared one jot to be honest.

Had another google. What do you all think of this? Article interviewing head of CQC.
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jun/07/disability-abuse-winterbourne-view-care-regulator-review

Thanks boystooloud I have read the article, sounds like there has been a real backlash, hope this isn't all forgotten by next week and change takes place in the best interests of the vulnerable adults involved insytead of being ill thought out just to be able to say they've made changes, thye need to be the right changes leading to a better outcome.

Wow, what a load of self-pitying shite from the head of CQC. It just shows how out of touch some people can become.

She doesn't quite 'get it' does she?

As I have said for years now, disabled people are a valuable commodity. They make CVs look good for students, they make CVs look good for anyone who works with them...they're a money making, CV enhancing commodity.
No more, no less.
there are very very few who do this work out of love and care (apart from us as parents of course)
As for this woman, get a fcking rip love; you failed, the system failed and the reason it all failed is cos no one in your employ really gives a sht.

Hey unpai1d.. some of us carers are good guys!!
However I do see what you are saying about people who just come in briefly and then move on to 'careers'. However, even here I have met some ok young people.
At the other end of the scale you have people who have done the job for years but have a lack of respect for those they work with coupled with a dangerous 'I know best' attitude.
Me - I think I fall into a working/supporting for years the same person cos of loyalty and love. [The love bit probably not seen as very professional].

2Boys you sound great. Practising with 'love' is something that came up when I did a mental health training - Buddhist-based thinking in relation to care work. I think the most useful seed to plant in paid carers heads when they start off is to imagine every 'client' is your dearly loved relative and to treat them accordingly. Discussions about love are good to have in care work.

Oh dear......heard the news this morning, ladies? Panorama to have some award removed for a misreported story? Only heard the end of the report. Discrediting Panorama in their ability to "report" truthfully will not go well in terms of their credibility. Hope Winterbourne View former employees and their legal team don't try to latch on to that argument.

I didn't see the programme but my Mother did and she said it was all on film (and she was really upset, said you wouldn't treat a dog like it) so if the abuse was filmed I am not sure how they could deny it.

Unless the 'defence' is going to say panorama investigator coerced them into abuse/torture I find it hard to see how content of film can be discredited.
Sure defence team will try..

I agree with what Unpaid has said EXCEPT I have met many, many people who do this work out of love and care, some really amazing people.

I did write a reply before 2boys but the flipping internet keeps going off so it didn't post. Anyway just to say sorry I was only generalising. I know there are some fab support workers out there. My daughter n SIl are brilliant and the staff there are good, if they're not they sack 'em, no messing.
And Of course I know you're brilliant too. Can tell that.
Just here they employ students from local uni doing their Psychology degrees n such like to enhance their CVs and although they're nice enough mostly, they are inexperienced and naive and lack training. There is also a quick turnover which is not good for the kids who need stability. They get attached to one and then they're gone in a flash!
Also you're right about some longer term ones who seem to think the services are there for their benefit and the kids have to fit into them, not them fitting in with the kids!
Didn't mean to offend you . Was on a bad one yesterday too, was totally exhausted and had a couple of glasses of the old vino teehee.