Cornwall abuse hospital to close

The hospital at the centre of the Cornwall learning difficulties abuse scandal is to close.

Cornwall Council plans to move people from Budock Hospital near Falmouth into “more suitable accommodation” by the end of December.

Abuse at the hospital resulted in 40 referrals under protection of vulnerable adults procedures (Cornish abuse findings expose ‘lack of understanding’ of rights).

However, Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust said plans to move people from the hospital had been in progress before the investigation started.

Reg Broad, chair of East Cornwall Mencap, which sparked the investigation, said the council must involve families in assessing people’s needs.