Government's 'dismal failure' to get people with learning disabilities out of Treatment and Assessment Units

Labour has called on the Government to commit to a two-year deadline to end the practice of placing people with learning disabilities in Treatment and Assessment Units, such as the former Winterbourne View, for long periods of time.

During Health Questions in Parliament, Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, said: “The whole country was shocked by the serious abuse and appalling standards of care at Winterbourne View. Labour warned at the time that without a detailed plan and clear deadlines, progress on putting this right would slip.

“Sure enough, three years on, there has been hardly any movement towards helping vulnerable people with learning disabilities move into local communities.

“It’s a scandal that only a third of the people who were in ATUs (Assessment and Treatment Units) last April have been transferred out and that even today, more people are being sent into them than are being discharged. Over 2,600 people – including 150 children – are being kept away from their families and friends.

She added: “Ministers previously pledged to give people with learning disabilities support in the community or in their own homes – but it’s just not happening. I’m calling on the Government to commit to giving these patients the support they need in the community within the next two years. It’s time that Ministers made good on their promises.”

However Minister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb said the last Labour government “did nothing" to get people out of institutional care” and added that the Government was “absolutely determined to achieve the change that is so necessary”.

Jan Tregelles, chief executive of Mencap, and Vivien Cooper, chief executive of The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, said that further delays are not acceptable and added: “Following promises made after abuse uncovered at Winterbourne View, there has been a dismal failure to meet the Government's June deadline to move people with a learning disability out of assessment and treatment units. Every day that progress is delayed is another day where vulnerable children and adults remain in units where they are at risk of abuse and are often far away from their families and friends.

“A new deadline is important but we really need to see the development of long-term and sustainable care in local communities to ensure people get the right support, in the right place, at the right time. What is imperative is that a clear plan is drawn up which engages everyone who has a role to play in not only moving people out of units but also preventing people being unnecessarily moved into them.”