THE government set up a “Whorlton Hall Incident Coordination Group” immediately after being made aware of allegations of abuse at the facility, parliament heard this morning.
An urgent question about Whorlton Hall was heard in the House of Commons today, in the wake of an expose on the hospital on the BBC's Panorama programme last night.
Whorlton Hall has since been shut and police are currently conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of physical and psychological abuse.
Speaking at Westminster this morning, the minister for the Department of Health and Social Care, Caroline Dinenage, confirmed the incident group was sent up to secure the immediate safety of patients at the hospital.
Whorlton Hall was described as a facility to care for people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
Mrs Dinenage said: “On behalf of the health and care system I am deeply sorry this has happened.
“Many of us here, and many of those listening and watching this statement, will have seen the very disturbing footage shown on the Panorama TV programme last night. Footage revealing the very traumatic experiences of vulnerable people with learning difficulty and autism at Whorlton Hall – somewhere they should have been safe, somewhere they should have been cared for.”
She went on to say that a number of recent reports had exposed problems in the care provided for people with learning disabilities and autism.
She added: “All of those reports have found very clear evidence of care that has fallen way below the standard we expect and the standard that people absolutely deserve.”
Teesdale MP Helen Goodman described the footage shown on the programme as “truly horrific”.
She said: “It should not have taken the BBC to uncover this – the CQC got this totally wrong. Whatever the failings of the CQC, ultimate responsibility must lie with those who own and manage these homes and make money out of it.
“Finally the government needs to fund these services properly. It is no good having people who are not qualified, not properly paid, working with the most vulnerable people in our society.”
MP for North Norfolk Norman Lamb said: “Last night's Panorama was deeply shocking and particularly distressing for anyone who has a loved one in an institution worrying about their own safety.
“The individuals must be held to account, but so must the provider who allowed this culture to persist. Will there now be an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into possible criminal prosecution against them?
“How much was Cygnet charging the NHS per week for this awful abuse and neglect?”
