No DH review into CQC and councils over Panorama case

There will be no government reviews of Care Quality Commission or safeguarding failings regarding the abuse of learning disabled people uncovered by Panorama this week, the Department of Health has confirmed.

This is despite a statement issued yesterday by care services minister Paul Burstow, in which said he had “already ordered a thorough examination of the roles of both CQC and local authorities” regarding the abuse identified at Winterbourne View, a hospital for people with learning disabilities or autism run by Castlebeck.

The DH confirmed today that there would be no external review of the roles of either the CQC, South Gloucestershire Council, the lead safeguarding agency for the area, or any other agency. Rather, internal reviews carried out by the CQC, South Gloucestershire, primary care trust commissioners and other relevant agencies will be sent to DH officials and Burstow.

However, there is no DH commitment to act on the findings of these reviews, which will also feed into a serious case review commissioned yesterday by South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board.

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