Updated 9/9/21
“The Down’s Syndrome Association are relieved that Jeesal Cawston Park in Norfolk is now closed.
The events that took place there to people with learning disabilities were truly shocking and distressing. The appalling lack of care that Ben, Joanna and Jon experienced whilst in the care of a so called ‘hospital’ were completely unacceptable.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends of Ben, Joanna and Jon”.
The independent report into the deaths of the three patients has urged the Government and local agencies to take action to protect people with learning disabilities.
The report – which contains 13 recommendations – found failings that we have seen so many times before in relation to people who have learning disabilities.
“My report highlights failures of governance, commissioning, oversight, planning for individuals and professional practice. It re-visits the findings concerning Winterbourne View Hospital ten years ago. The legal structures of companies responsible for the culture of services supporting people with life-long support needs must be transparent and accountable. They must reveal whether and how the public interest and the significant NHS investment is represented on their Boards. In addition, a progressive and non-sectored solution from which assessment and treatment units are excluded altogether remains to be led by Westminster.”
Margaret Flynn, the report’s author
Read the full report from Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board here.
Our thoughts are with Ben King’s family and friends. Ten years on from Winterbourne View, it is shocking that such low standards of care could still exist. It is completely unacceptable that someone should receive such a woeful lack of basic medical attention in a setting that was called a ‘hospital’.
Any possibility that Ben was subjected to physical abuse should result in criminal prosecution for those involved. Closure of a setting isn’t enough, they should be held to account.
You can read more about the case here.
Ben King, a man with Down’s syndrome and a severe learning disability, died after spending over two years at Cawston Park Hospital in Norwich on 29 July 2020.
An inquest has concluded making a number of criticisms of the care he received. Rep:@FostersSol https://t.co/BjuWhp59Jq
— INQUEST (@INQUEST_ORG) July 13, 2021