People First (Self Advocacy) is deeply saddened but not at all surprised by the allegations of abuse and initial findings of “significant failings” at Budock Hospital in Cornwall. We are pleased that a full investigation will be carried out and we call for criminal prosecutions to be brought. Those who have suffered the alleged abuse must be given appropriate support to communicate their experiences and to cope with what they have been through. Too often abusers of people with learning difficulties are let off without charge as their victims are treated as “unreliable” witnesses. Prosecutions that are brought frequently result in lenient sentencing that is not comparable with sentences given for abuse of children.

The Healthcare Commission had many lessons to learn after its woefully inadequate investigation into alleged abuse between 2001 and 2003 at Fieldhead hospital in Wakefield where patients were spoken to in front of members of staff, and investigators failed to make sure they had support to communicate with people with severe learning difficulties. A full investigation was never carried out and police were not alerted. The Healthcare Commission is working with the Commission for Social Care Inspection to investigate the alleged abuse in Cornwall and it has already referred 6 cases to the adult protection committee. We are hoping that this reflects a real commitment to securing justice for these victims.

Abuse as reported in Cornwall is an extreme end of a general culture pervading services for people with learning difficulties. This is a culture of warehousing and of segregation despite the well-intentioned aims of government initiatives such as Valuing People: the government strategy for people with learning disabilities and the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit¹s report on “Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People”. The day-to-day experience of people with learning difficulties is one where they are told what to do and when to do it, where they are controlled and directed without real choice. Traditional service models do not respect people with learning difficulties as humans with rights and they are founded in a social attitude that sees people with learning difficulties as inferior.

Lack of resources and money still stand in the way of appropriate, individualised services. Many individuals are denied the basic right to communicate in services run by staff on low wages with little education or training. Fundamental changes are needed to abandon traditional models of service; we need proper investment to ensure the aims of Valuing People become a reality, carried out in meaningful consultation with people with learning difficulties. We should not be afraid of complaints from those misguided by paternalistic ideas of what is best for people with learning difficulties we need to be more afraid of the continuing human rights abuses that are a day to day reality for people with learning difficulties within our so-called civilised society.

Andrew Lee, Director (020 7820 6655)

People First is a registered charity (no. 1057354) run and controlled by people with learning difficulties. We support local self advocacy groups and individual people with learning difficulties to speak up for their rights and to campaign for inclusion.
Statistics indicate that 23 per cent of adults with learning disabilities have experienced physical abuse.

Acknowledgements - People First (Self Advocacy) and Andrew Lee