Winterbourne View, the residential hospital in Bristol for vulnerable people which was at the centre of a recent Panorama programme that uncovered alleged abuse, has closed. A statement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has confirmed that all residents at Winterbourne View have been found alternative accommodation.
With CQC regulatory action underway, the hospital’s owner, Castlebeck, had agreed to close Winterbourne View. The CQC statement added that it had served Castlebeck with a notice of proposal – the route that is followed when it wants a service to close. Castlebeck has said it would not be seeking to challenge the CQC’s decision about the closure of Winterbourne View. As a result, the CQC does not expect the company to oppose the formal notice of decision that will lead to the withdrawal of its registration to provide services at the hospital.
The Panorama programme, broadcast on May 31, included secret filming by an undercover reporter showing residents being taunted, pinned down and slapped. Since the programme was broadcast, a number of arrests in connection to alleged abuse at the hospital have been made. At the time Castlebeck issued a statement apologising for what had happened, and launched an independent review of the hospital.
