RCN supports Winterbourne View recommendations

Published: 11 December 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has said it is fully supportive of the actions recommended in the Government's Winterbourne View review and is committed to working with the relevant organisations to deliver change. The RCN will also work with independent sector providers to ensure health care assistants receive support and guidance in delivering the best possible patient care.

The review follows the abuse of patients by staff at a private hospital, near Bristol, reported on the BBC Panorama programme. The recommendations include the commitment to review all current placements so everyone in hospital inappropriately will move to community-based support as quickly as possible.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said it is vital to have the right staff in the right place to provide the care and support that people with learning disabilities often need.

“What happened at Winterbourne View was deeply shocking, particularly as the abuse was carried out against some of the most vulnerable people in society. We know that learning disability nurses can greatly improve the quality of life for people with learning disabilities and their families. However, over the past 15 years we have seen under-investment in learning disability care and we would like to see this trend reversed as a matter of urgency,” he added.

An RCN survey has revealed that nearly three quarters of learning disability nurses have seen cuts to services in the past year.