Watchdog criticises disability home "abuses"

LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) Up to 200 learning disability centres are to be inspected following a damning report into one hospital where ''institutional care'' led to cases of abuse.

The report is the second to be highly critical of an NHS trust's care of people with learning disabilities in the past six months.

Orchard Hill Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey, was found to have applied outmoded, institutionalised care which had led to the neglect of people with learning disabilities.

The health watchdog, the Healthcare Commission, said the standard of services at the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust hospital was ''unacceptable in the 21st century''.

The report was triggered by two cases of sexual assault against a resident at the hospital. One member of staff was sentenced to six years in prison for rape as a result last year.

The report found one woman at the hospital had routinely been left in an arm splint over many years to stop her putting her hand in her mouth.

''Some of the findings are classic examples of staff being unaware that certain practices are no longer acceptable and could in some cases constitute abuse,'' the report said.

Under-staffing and poor training contributed to a lack of safety and care and encouraged an environment of dependency, the report added.

There was also inadequate access for disabled people, poor decoration and furnishings and insufficient space for hoists in bedrooms and bathrooms.

The report described some of the conditions as ''impoverished and completely unsatisfactory''.

''In some instances, limited space compromised the privacy and dignity of people,'' it said.

There were failures in management and leadership at all levels, compounded by the high turnover of trust managers -- seven chief executives in 10 years.

The commission did commend the trust for instigating the investigation, and said the report should not be seen as a condemnation of individual members of staff.

Rather there was a failure of training and support.

It praised the recent rise in staff numbers and improved training.

Nevertheless, it recommended Orchard Hill be closed and its residents placed in alternative care centres.

Last year, Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust was criticised for the neglect and physical, emotional and financial abuse of some of its residents.

That triggered the first national audit, currently under way in England.

Yesterday, the commission announced that the learning disability audit will include the inspection of 200 NHS and private services. The findings are expected to be published by the end of the year.

REUTERS SP KP0934