A National Response to the Abuse of People with Learning Disabilities

In response to the unacceptable abuse of people with learning disabilities identified by Panorama in a private hospital in Bristol, 86 organisations in the learning disability field have come together to agree a call to action. The letter has been sent to the Prime Minster which describes a programme of work that we believe is necessary to prevent a repetition of such abuse and help ensure that people with learning disabilities are supported to live lives as equal citizens in our communities.

We particularly call for and describe actions that will:

• Stop the use of learning disability hospitals such as that at Winterbourne View

• Instigate a two year programme to ensure that the NHS and local government work together to ensure they deliver high quality, individualized and local services for people with the greatest need

• Place the voice of people with learning disabilities and families at the centre of decision making about their lives

• Reform the regulatory framework in order to place a greater emphasis on quality of life and service improvement

• Provide immediate support for those people and their families who have been subjected to this abuse

• Deliver short-term action to ensure standards in learning disability institutional provision pending its replacement with more appropriate services

We commend this programme of action to all people concerned with promoting equality in our society.

For more details, please see the copy of the letter and the full press release which can be downloaded from the Related Downloads section on the right of this page.