Cornwall drops from two stars to one

Cornwall Council, which was criticised over the abuse of people with learning difficulties earlier this year, has dropped from two stars to one this year in the adult star ratings.

The council was found to only be serving “some” people well this year compared to “most” people in 2005.

A Commission for Social Care Inspection and Healthcare Commission investigation into the abuse of people with learning difficulties in services run by Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust criticised the council for  failing to adequately co-ordinate interagency arrangements to protect vulnerable adults.

Last month the trust received the lowest possible “weak” rating for quality of services in the Healthcare Commission’s annual performance ratings for NHS trusts in England.

Reg Broad, chair of East Cornwall Mencap, said that he had expected the council’s rating to slip: “We are not surprised they have lost a star, in fact we are surprised it’s not more.”

Nigel Walker, the council’s executive member for adult social care, said the judgement was disappointing and failed to take into account several major improvements made over the past 12 months.