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Allegations
of sexual abuse by NHS staff against learning disabled people to
be investigated
March
1, 2006
by Angela Hussain
Allegations
of sexual and physical abuse by NHS trust staff against people with
learning disabilities are to be investigated by the healthcare watchdog.
The
Healthcare Commission will examine the quality of care and level
of safety for people with learning disabilities provided by Sutton
and Merton Primary Care Trust.
The
trust invited the commission to hold the investigation following
incidents within its learning disability service, including allegations
of physical and sexual abuse.
Two
former trust employees have been charged under the Sexual Offences
Act.
The trust provides care, therapy and accommodation at Orchard Hill
long stay hospital in Carshalton, Sutton, for people with severe
or profound learning disabilities.
It
also runs eight community homes in Sutton and Merton, Surrey, and
at Osborne House in Hastings, East Sussex.
Nigel Ellis, head of investigations at the Healthcare Commission
said: "We
will not hesitate to take swift action if we find cause for concern.
"Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust has acted responsibly
in asking us to undertake this investigation and is already taking
steps to help ensure patient safety.“
As part of its investigation, the commission will conduct face-to-face
and telephone interviews with service users, their families and
carers and trust staff.
The investigation will be conducted in collaboration with the Commission
for Social Care Inspection.
Caroline
Taylor, chief executive of Sutton and Merton PCT, said: "We
take the personal safety of the people we care for extremely seriously.
The
trust board is deeply concerned at these allegations"
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