Damning Report on Care at Orchard Hill - Tom Brake

10.36.15am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 19th Jan 2007

Commenting on the Healthcare Commission's report into care for people with learning disabilities at Orchard Hill, Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said, "This is a damning report. It catalogues a series of failings in leadership, training and above all care for people with learning disabilities. These must be addressed immediately."

Tom Brake tried unsuccessfully to raise the matter at Prime Minister's Questions today and is writing instead to the PM to request that the external support and transitional funding recommended by the Commission is made available to the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust to help ensure the services for people with learning disabilities are of the quality they are entitled to. He has also written to the Chief Executive of the PCT requesting copies of the Trust's Action plans and regular progress updates.

The Commission's investigation looked at 15 incidents which took place between 2002 and 2005 and the quality and safety of care at Orchard Hill Hospital, the community homes in Sutton and Merton, as well as the community homes in Hastings. Their investigation was initiated at the request of the Chief Executive of the Sutton and Merton PCT following a number of serious incidents of sexual abuse.