Published on 12, July, 2020
Did anyone see this programme on TV a few days ago? I was so shocked by what was exposed and find I am still thinking about it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63049874
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63061077
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/our-statement-on-bbc-panorama-undercover-hospital
The programme featured the story of a young autistic woman who was mistreated in an appalling way. The way she was treated understandably triggered meltdowns, which resulted in her being locked in a seclusion room for weeks at a time. Her possessions were taken away as a form of punishment.
The attitude of the staff was so cruel and demonstrated their complete lack of understanding of autism. One nurse even said that she should be put in prison, despite having not committed any crime, and that it would "take her down a peg or two"
It is more than 10 years since the Winterbourne scandal, yet little seems to have changed. Vulnerable autistic people are still being mistreated and abused. I don't know how anyone could treat another human being in such a horrific way. I suspect there will be many more similar instances that are never discovered.
This all happened in a NHS hospital, where the patients should be receiving care and help to recover. Sadly there wasn't much in the way of any help apparent from the programme.
Didn't watch the programme but I read the article on the BBC site about it and that was shocking.
There was this today as well:
"Tony Hickmott: Autistic man to be released after 21 years in hospital" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62819017
Shows just how easy it is to fall through the cracks of the system - and once you've fallen, that could be it for years.
Good God! and all because the authorities won't get their act together to provide what he needs in the community. Prisoners are treated better than this.