Winterbourne View owners go into administration (From Gazette Series)
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Castlebeck, which ran Winterbourne View hospital in Hambrook, goes into administration after abuse scandal exposed by BBC Panorama
10:50am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Alexandra Womack
THE company which ran Winterbourne View hospital in Hambrook where 11 staff have been prosecuted for abusing and torturing patients has gone into administration.
Castlebeck has appointed administrators Grant Thornton and is still operating 20 sites in the UK, with 214 residents remaining under the care of the company while a buyer is sought.
In a statement, Castlebeck partner Daniel Smith said the Winterbourne View home had been closed as soon as the abuse was exposed by an undercover BBC Panorama journalist posing as a care worker in May 2011 and a full internal review of company operations was carried out.
Said Mr Smith: "Whilst the board has focused on quality care provision and restoring confidence in the Castlebeck operations, the impact of two further unit closures in 2011 and reducing occupancy has significantly diluted Castlebeck's subsequent trading capabilities."
The Hambrook hospital was closed in June 2011 and its 24 patients, all adults with severe learning difficulties, were found alternative homes. The site was sold to Glenside Care Group in April 2012.
Eleven former Winterbourne View staff admitted a total of 38 charges after a lengthy police investigation last year. Bristol Crown Court saw footage, obtained by Panorama, of the care workers and nurses taunting patients verbally, restraining them with chairs for long periods of time, throwing water over them and leaving them outside in freezing temperatures.
Six were jailed for the abuse they inflicted and a further five were handed suspended sentences by Judge Neil Ford, who described Winterbourne View as housing a ‘culture of cruelty’.
The abuse scandal prompted South Gloucestershire Council, the police and the NHS to carry out urgent reviews and has led to changes in policy of dealing with whistleblowers and incidents within similar types of secure accommodation.
