http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13548222
Summary:
Winterbourne View, a residential hospital in Bristol, seems to abuse their patients as well verbally as physically. Secret filming have shown this. After seeing the tape police arrested four people who are staff of Winterbourne View.
Winterbourne View treats people who have learning problems and autism. Andrew McDonnell, who works with adults with mental problems, labeled the examples which were shown on tape as "torture". Castlebeck, the owner of the hospital, apologized for the images of the tape and suspended 13 employees. According to the tape it seemed that patients were pinned down, kicked and slapped and were dragged into showers while they had their clothes on. Mr. McDonnell said: "I was very shocked by some of the treatment of vulnerable patients. This is a therapeutic environment. Where is the therapy in any of this? I would argue this is torture".
Opinion:
I totally agree with Mr. McDonnell's argument that this news item is shocking and that you cannot call this therapy, because where is the therapy? I also would argue this as torture. The patients in this kind of hospitals are already very vulnerable and this behavior of staff would definitely make them even more vulnerable and their problems will not go away in any case. These patients also have family and those family did not even know how they were treated before the tape showed up. So next to the patients it is also really sad for their family members by seeing the secret tape. The suspected staff members have been suspended, but I would fire them and hopefully the police will come up with a punishment, because this staff member's behavior is definitely not tolerable.
I think this is very shocking to read, that people who are supposed to take care of patients and create a save and loving environment could do this to their patients. However, I wonder why the famlies weren't aware if this horrible events. I mean don't they visit their relative and hear about what he or she has been going through? Let's hope that the staff members will not only get suspended but also fired and arrested. In your reaction you say: "These patients also have family and those family did not even know how they were treated before the tape showed up" I think you should say "these patients have a family and that family did...."
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHi Relinde! A very shocking article indeed! Also the fact that they had to fire 13 (!) employees! It was not just one person who tortured the patients but almost everyone! I hope that the patients will be put in a safe environment now where they will get real therapy!
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