Health concerns heard for review

Budock Hospital closed down after inspectors found incidents of abuse

People with learning difficulties are sharing their concerns over future care in Cornwall with health bosses.

A conference is being staged by a team overseeing the way care is delivered and will hear from more than 100 service users.

It is part of a review into abuse uncovered at a hospital last year.

Jo Hogg, of the Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, told BBC News: "People with learning disabilities have been forgotten to some extent."

Special measures

A Place to Live has been organised by Cornwall's Supporting People Team.

Ms Hogg said: "Cornwall probably is lagging behind. People with learning disabilities and their families were not listened to for quite a number of years, and were not part of plans and or part of spending rounds.

"It is time to really put them on the top of the list."

Government inspectors found evidence of 64 incidents of abuse over five years at Budock Hospital, near Falmouth.

The hospital trust was put in special measures after inspections by the Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Care of its residents was handed over to Cornwall County Council's adult social care team and charities.

Staff retrained

Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust was also handing over the care of nearly 170 people in 46 community homes.

The trust launched an investigation after a member of staff at Budock complained in 2003 that patients were being physically and psychologically abused on its Lamorna ward.

The trust said progress had since been made, with staff being retrained and 18 new providers of care approved.

Five members of staff were dismissed and police have been looking into the care of 40 victims whose cases were highlighted.

Following the commissions' report in July 2006, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced an audit of all services in England for people with learning disabilities in NHS or private-sector care.