Author Archives: wendy
Change in the law is needed to protect vulnerable people
Care workers also deserve better pay and training to prevent future cases of abuse and neglect
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Jonathan Wheeler
- Guardian Professional,
Calls to press ahead with plans to hold corporate bodies – boards, directors and senior managers – to account for any abuse or neglect that is found to have taken place in care homes and hospitals are no surprise. However, all those who work in the sector will know that unlimited fines and criminal sanctions is not enough.
Speaking in parliament last week, Paul Burstow MP, the former care services minister, introduced a new bill to amend the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to include a new offence of corporate neglect. He said the “new law would act as a deterrent” and all health and social care professionals will be hoping this is true. They will also probably be pleased by the apparent pace of change, coming so soon after the findings of the Winterbourne View investigation were published.
As an abuse lawyer who regularly handles claims on behalf of children and vulnerable adults who have been resident in care homes or other institutions, I have heard too many accounts of abuse that for some reason or other have been unheeded by those in charge. This is unacceptable and a change in the law is urgently needed to address this.
Success of personal health budget following Norfolk pilot
Scheme will be rolled out across the country next year.
By Adam Gretton Saturday, January 19, 2013
6:30 AM
A scheme to give patients more control over their care has been hailed as a success by health chiefs and patients in Norfolk who trialled a NHS pilot.
NHS Norfolk and Waveney rolled out a personal health budget initiative two years ago, which is set to be made available across the country from next year.
The primary care trust (PCT) is pioneering the scheme in the east and allows patients with long-term, complex needs to have control over how money is spent on their care.
Met officers face judge over mentally disabled case
Severely autistic and epileptic 16 year old
Seven police officers are due to face a senior judge over their handling of a severely autistic child, which lawyers say could have major implications for the rights of the mentally disabled.
Last year the Metropolitan Police was found to have assaulted, restrained, falsely imprisoned and discriminated against a severely autistic and epileptic 16 year old and ordered to pay £30,000 damages.
