Love tennis in health (and social care) towers

Another bad news day for the Sloves. You’d think. This morning the legendary Gman (and team) broke the news on BBC Radio Oxford (available at 1:03ish for seven days) that a third CQC inspection into Sloven learning disability provision in Oxfordshire had failed.

[Warning: the next two paragraphs (in italics) are deeply disturbing.]

The inspectors found the building wasn’t fit for purpose and a patient had nearly died in the seclusion room. The bathroom in the seclusion room was locked because there was a ligature risk with the taps. This meant patients had to use a temporary toilet in full view of staff. (For how long?)  

One dude still managed to tie a ligature round his neck and was found having a seizure which required hospitalisation. This ‘incident’ wasn’t reported to the safeguarding agency because the “situation had been discussed with Oxfordshire Commissioners as to whether it was a SIRI as ‘the person did not sustain any actual harm’”.

The rest of the inspection was reasonably positive as the CQC bod seemed keen to point out on the radio. The Gman, with characteristic crap cutting, instantly responded that’s how it should be…

‘Does Sloven H have a problem?‘ he asked. ‘Er yes‘, answered CQC bod gingerly. Adding that the Sloves were unaware that there was a problem with the building. Bit too apologetic really. Especially as the report states that the Sloves did know and did nothing. Typical of their (non) action since taking over the Ridgeway Partnership with known problems back in November 2012. Not a great model when you’re supposed to be caring for very vulnerable people. Knowing and not doing.

Only a few hours later Monitor (the health service regulator) issued a press release. A press release that’s a lesson in something. Dunno what.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to urgently implement a series of improvements in the quality of care that it provides and to how it is run. […] Paul Streat, Regional Director at Monitor, said: “The trust has failed to act quickly enough to improve services in Oxfordshire and must get the right processes in place to ensure action is taken to fix problems quickly. The agreement we’ve reached today will see the trust deliver real improvements in its services and will make sure that this continues in the future.”

Astonishing, numbing, nothingness. ‘Have they been hacked?’ I puzzled. Staring at the screen. Thinking about LB. The other dudes who were placed in high risk situations in Piggy Lane and Evenlode. The lack of ‘therapeutic environments’ and right to piss and shit in privacy.

Nope. Over at Sloven Towers, KP speedily bounced a love ball straight back ’em. Ending with;

“I fully understand why Monitor has raised their concerns and I welcome the opportunity to work with them to demonstrate that the issues they have identified are not an ongoing cause for concern.”

If I did my job so badly that (at least) one young person died and a second came seriously close to death, I kind of hope there would be a bit more than “reaching an agreement” around “improving services” with the industry regulator. And I hope I wouldn’t be insensitive enough to wank on about how I welcome the opportunity to work with them. KP, once again with weariness, this really ain’t about you.

Sadly this press release love-in seems to illustrate the stage we’re now at in this long, foul, unspeakable journey.  Pretty much everyone implicated seems to have joined forces to protect each other. Entrenched deflection. Denial. Deceit. Spin. And empty words. Oh, and seemingly unlimited (public) resources to draw upon to avoid any accountability.

Classy. As always.