Charities have received 260 reports from families concerning the abuse and neglect of people with a learning disability in institutional care – since the Winterbourne View abuse scandal was uncovered by the BBC Panorama team in June 2011.
Mencap and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation are highlighting the risks of moving patients hundreds of miles.
Their joint report, Out of Sight details a number of serious incidences reported by families, including physical assault, sexual abuse and the overuse of restraint – both physical and in terms of overuse of medication.
Vivien Cooper, founder of The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, said: “Many hundreds of people with a learning disability are being sent away to care institutions hundreds of miles from home, where they remain for years unnecessarily, at risk of neglect and abuse.
“Our report details the deep concerns that families have for their safety and welfare.”
Mark Goldring, Mencap chief executive, said: “We fear that unless the government commits to a strong action plan to close large institutions and develop appropriate local services for people with a learning disability, there is a very real risk that another Winterbourne View will come to light.”
The Care Quality Commission’s inspection programme of 145 hospitals and care homes for people with a learning disability revealed that half of services failed to meet essential care and safeguarding standards.
The Out of sight report can be viewed at www.mencap.org.uk/outofsight
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