Penzance's John Daniel Centre had 'faeces on toilet walls'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-31115213

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A care home in Cornwall had faeces on toilet walls and used-incontinence pads piled in a corner, a serious case review found.

Investigators also said a lack of scrutiny at Cornwall Council's John Daniel Centre had led to bullying and "wilful neglect" of residents.

An inquiry was ordered after whistleblowers raised concerns in 2011.

The council said that as the review took place changes were made to staffing and the building, in Penzance.

Managers coming in to take over running the home said they had been left "shocked" by the building.

The review says an independent regulator was needed to protect residents of the home, who are adults with learning disabilities.

But, disability campaigner Reg Broad described the investigation as a "whitewash" and a cover up.

He said: "Basically, people with learning disabilities were being abused, there was bullying and psychological abuse.

"It's a cover up because the report does not concentrate on that thing."

The claims resulted in new staff being brought in and a criminal case being brought, although the court proceedings were dropped last year.

Beyond the abuse, the building was not fit for purpose, the report said - something the council said it had acted on.

"The kitchen was dirty and unhygienic and some way off being fit for purpose on health and safety grounds," investigators said.

Rob Cooper, chairman of the Safeguarding Adults Board, which carried out the report, said things were getting better at the centre.

"The priority for me now is that we have published the report, including the findings, and we now need to move forward," he said.

"What we have seen is management oversight was not strong enough both local and at a corporate level but we have now seen significant changes and improvements."