Government Confirms New Plans To Protect Vulnerable People

A government pledge to ensure vulnerable adults in care are better protected from abuse has been welcomed by an expert at Irwin Mitchell.

Health minister Paul Burstow has told the BBC that new plans on the creation of safeguarding organisations will be available to protect vulnerable patients in residential care homes and hospitals.

The proposal, which is based on current systems in place to protect children, has been put forward following a Panorama investigation which highlighted the poor standards of care seen at Winterbourne View in Bristol.

Jonathan Peacock, an expert in health and social care at Irwin Mitchell who helps people seek justice over instances of abuse or neglect, said: “The case of Winterbourne View looks set to be a major wake-up call when it comes to this terrible issue of abuse in care facilities.

“It is excellent news to see the government is looking to make a firm response to the problems and provide a greater level of protection to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

“The plans should go some way to improve cooperation between the likes of the NHS and social services to a point where swift action is taken to keep adults safe from harm.

“Families of vulnerable adults in care need reassurances that the terrible behaviour seen on the recent Panorama programme will not be repeated.”