Serous case review of Richard Handley, referred to as ‘James’, a 33 year old adult with Down’s syndrome and a moderate learning disability who was also diagnosed with a mental illness and hypothyroidism. He had lifelong problems with constipation. He lived in a Supported Living scheme, Goshawk Close, run by United Response. On 14 November 2012 he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital and following a surgical procedure under anaesthetic to remove impacted faeces, he died in hospital on 17 November 2012. Failings identified in the review include: poor monitoring of physical health needs; a lack of understanding about the use of the Mental Capacity Act; no specific arrangements for the supported living scheme to obtain support from specialist learning disabilities services; and lack of a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting physical and mental health needs. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams.
(Original abstract)
Serous case review of Richard Handley, referred to as ‘James’, a 33 year old adult with Down’s syndrome and a moderate learning disability who was also diagnosed with a mental illness and hypothyroidism. He had lifelong problems with constipation. He lived in a Supported Living scheme, Goshawk Close, run by United Response. On 14 November 2012 he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital and following a surgical procedure under anaesthetic to remove impacted faeces, he died in hospital on 17 November 2012. Failings identified in the review include: poor monitoring of physical health needs; a lack of understanding about the use of the Mental Capacity Act; no specific arrangements for the supported living scheme to obtain support from specialist learning disabilities services; and lack of a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting physical and mental health needs. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, complex needs, adults, supported living, death, health needs, mental health problems, serious case reviews, needs, Downs syndrome;
Serious case review of Amy, a woman with learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and known bowel problems, who died aged 52. She lived in a Supported Living scheme, Crane Court, run by Leading Lives. Amy was subject two safeguarding referrals, the first due concerns about supported living staff’s understanding of Amy’s health care needs discharge and the second following her discharge from hospital which took place without apparent full investigation or consideration of her health problems. Following her discharge from hospital Amy’s condition deteriorated and she died in hospital on 7 May 2013. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services which are providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Serious case review of Amy, a woman with learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and known bowel problems, who died aged 52. She lived in a Supported Living scheme, Crane Court, run by Leading Lives. Amy was subject two safeguarding referrals, the first due concerns about supported living staff’s understanding of Amy’s health care needs discharge and the second following her discharge from hospital which took place without apparent full investigation or consideration of her health problems. Following her discharge from hospital Amy’s condition deteriorated and she died in hospital on 7 May 2013. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services which are providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
adults, learning disabilities, complex needs, death, health needs, mental health problems, supported living, cerebral palsy, epilepsy;
Journal of Adult Protection, 15(4), 2013, pp.173-181.
Publisher:
Emerald
This paper concerns the fall-out from a TV programme “Undercover Care: the Abuse Exposed” which exposed cruelty at Winterbourne View Hospital, a private hospital that purported to provide assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems. It describes the principal findings of the Serious Case Review which was commissioned after the TV broadcast, and outlines some of the activities designed to reduce the likelihood of such abuses recurring. From policy, commissioning, regulation, management, service design and practice perspectives, events at Winterbourne View Hospital highlight a gulf between professionals, professionals and their organisations, and leadership shortcomings. The English government responded promptly and encouragingly to the circumstances of patients at Winterbourne View Hospital with a “Timetable of Actions”.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper concerns the fall-out from a TV programme “Undercover Care: the Abuse Exposed” which exposed cruelty at Winterbourne View Hospital, a private hospital that purported to provide assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems. It describes the principal findings of the Serious Case Review which was commissioned after the TV broadcast, and outlines some of the activities designed to reduce the likelihood of such abuses recurring. From policy, commissioning, regulation, management, service design and practice perspectives, events at Winterbourne View Hospital highlight a gulf between professionals, professionals and their organisations, and leadership shortcomings. The English government responded promptly and encouragingly to the circumstances of patients at Winterbourne View Hospital with a “Timetable of Actions”.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
serious case reviews, learning disabilities, autism, restraint, hospitals, adult abuse, residential care, mental health problems;