Lincolnshire care homes reviewed in wake of abuse scandal in Bristol
MEASURES to safeguard Lincolnshire people in care homes are being double checked in the wake of the Bristol abuse scandal.
A BBC Panorama undercover investigation appeared to show systematic abuse of disabled patients at Winterbourne View, which is run by Castlebeck.
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Some residents were repeatedly pinned down, dragged into showers while fully clothed, goaded and taunted.
Nine people have been arrested and Castlebeck has apologised. Thirteen workers have been suspended.
Graham Marsh, executive councillor for adult social care on Lincolnshire County Council, said a review is under way.
"In relation to the care home that was the subject of the Panorama programme, we have got three people from Lincolnshire placed in the care of the company that runs it, but not at that particular establishment," said Mr Marsh.
"Two of the families are happy with the care and the other has lost confidence in that operation and we are working with them to bring the person back to the county.
"We also have 170 Lincolnshire people in out- of-county care locations.
"We have processes in place but we are double checking them to make sure they are robust and the checks and measures that do take place and are sufficient."
Meanwhile, Mr Marsh has revealed plans are in place in the event of care home provider Southern Cross going into administration.
Southern Cross, which is responsible for looking after 31,000 elderly residents nationally, has announced it will underpay its rent for the next four months as it struggles with a £230 million annual rent bill.
"We have five Southern Cross care homes in Lincolnshire, with about 80 older people in the homes," said Mr Marsh.
"There are also two learning disabled and 16 physically disabled people.
"We have got provisions in place to make sure these people's need requirements carry on, even those who are self-funded, who we also have a duty of care to."
Retired social worker Elaine Smith, 59, whose 90-year-old mother Lilian Smithson is in residential care, said she felt the safeguarding of vulnerable adults fell way behind that of children.
"Very little cases of abuse come to court because it's thought the victims are unreliable witnesses – there needs to be better legal back-up," said Mrs Smith, of Ashby de la Launde.
"It's appalling that it takes something like Panorama to highlight such abuse."
In the case of the Bristol care home, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has apologised for not acting more quickly on information from a whistleblower.
Anyone with concerns about care should call the CQC on 03000 616161.
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