The Down’s Syndrome Association is appalled and horrified following the BBC’s Panorama investigation into the treatment of people with learning disabilities at Whorlton Hall. Our Chief Executive Carol Boys said:
“The way that we are treating people with a learning disability in the UK today is a national disgrace.
We have not learnt any lessons from the past and we have broken countless promises of better times ahead. We have let people with learning disabilities down badly time and time again, and this needs to stop. How many more scandals and needless deaths is it going to take before we begin to treat people with the respect and care that they deserve?
Our ‘It’s My Life’ report published last year showed that people are not having their needs assessed properly and that the right level of support is not being given to many. The best place to support people with learning disabilities is in their community. Institutions like Whorlton Hall do not work and do not allow individuals to live an ordinary life.”