BBC's Panorama forces care homes into the spotlight

Following the BBC’s Panorama programme on Tuesday 31st May, care homes have been forced into the spotlight and are under scrutiny from the entire country. The programme, which exposed the abusive treatment of patients at Winterbourne View Hospital in Bristol, has resulted in several arrests and generated a great deal of media interest which has naturally caused concern to many.

The state-of-the-art private hospital, which is home to young people with severe learning disabilities and autism, should be a caring, safe and therapeutic environment, but five weeks of undercover filming by Panorama’s reporter told a very different and disturbing story. Footage showed patients being both physically and mentally abused by hospital employees, treatment reminiscent of the appalling institutional care prevalent in the 60s which resulted in the closure of large long-stay institutions in Britain.

Parents and healthcare professionals alike have been horrified by the shocking revelations of the programme, which has highlighted the frightening conduct of staff towards the most vulnerable patients in these supposedly caring establishments. One way of putting your mind at rest is by educating yourself properly about what care is available and where to obtain the most trusted information and advice. The organisers of Naidex Scotland (14-15th September, Glasgow SECC) and Naidex South (19-20th October, ExCeL London), are aware of this and are dedicated to providing access to the most comprehensive and reliable sources available. Both Naidex events are completely free to attend, and for more information or to register for free entry please visit www.naidex.co.uk.

Event Director Liz Virgo is extremely concerned by what Panorama has brought to light in terms of the UK care system and its failings, and is glad to be able to offer some form of comfort to those in search of reliable information and advice: “Naidex Scotland and Naidex South are amongst the largest exhibitions of their kind in the UK, gathering the most professional and experienced organisations and authorities in the healthcare and disability industries under one roof to offer free advice and recommend local services and facilities that can help individuals in need of expert care.”

Polly Tommey, presenter of Sky TV’s Autism File and, more importantly, the mother of an autistic son, highly recommends the Naidex exhibitions to anyone looking to learn more about the care and treatment of autism or any other disability. Having visited Naidex National earlier this year at the Birmingham NEC, she commented: “As a parent it is thoroughly reassuring that there are events like Naidex offering such a wealth of information to parents and carers of disabled children and adults, especially in light of the upsetting footage shown by Panorama. There are so many knowledgeable and friendly people at the shows who are fully equipped to provide expert help and guidance, and I strongly recommend visiting to anyone looking for support and advice on care.”

Both Naidex events are completely free to attend, and for more information or to register for free entry please visit www.naidex.co.uk, where there are also details of Naidex National 2012.