Our chance to improve inspections and make services open
The Restraint Reduction Network Closed Cultures Steering Group is helping the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to improve how it inspects assessment and treatment units and inpatient, residential and other services, based on lived experience of them.
The CQC has asked the Restraint Reduction Network to make a specific contribution to improving its inspection process. It wants to find out which places that deliver care are not doing their jobs properly and respecting people’s human rights.
The commission wants to find out about “closed cultures” and put a stop to them. A closed culture is one that is characterised by secrecy and hostility. The CQC says it is a “poor culture in health and social care that increases the risk of harm through abuse and human rights breaches”.
The only way the CQC can improve its process is by speaking to the people it serves. This is our chance to improve how CQC inspections are carried out. We need to hear from you and it is very important that your voice is heard.
Getting involved is easy. You can add your voice by filling out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ Closed-cultures.
Anyone can fill out the survey as long as they have experienced a closed culture. You might have experienced this personally or you might be a parent of someone who has experienced a closed culture.
You may be an advocate or member of staff who has worked in a closed culture. Your voice matters.
Alexis Quinn and Jo Clare
Co-chairs, Restraint Reduction Network
Closed Cultures Steering Group
Terry Smith – a sad loss
Terry Smith, an actor with the Impact Theatre Company who played a role in the long-stay hospital scenes in Netflix series The Crown, died recently.
Terry had the best time filming the Crown and made a great impression on both cast members and crew. It was one of his ambitions to act on TV and we are so grateful that he got to achieve it. Another ambition of Terry’s was to go to Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen. When Impact won the Queen’s Award in 2018, he attended a garden party at the palace (pictured) and, although he didn’t meet the Queen herself, he was absolutely thrilled to be in her house and to see both Charles and Camilla. Terry was one of the first members of
Impact Theatre. He joined in 1999, the year the company started.
I had the privilege of knowing Terry throughout his school and college days and later as a member of Impact Theatre. He grew from a wonderful, cheeky and fun-loving boy into a wonderful, cheeky and fun-loving man – an exceptional artist, dancer, all-round performer and human being. Impact will not be the same without him.
Dance on Terry.
We miss you.
Kim Mughan
Artistic director,
Impact Theatre
Company, London
Vaccine victory…
We are so pleased that everyone with a learning disability who is on a GP register will now be offered the Covid-19 vaccine.
Everyone has worked so hard to make this change happen.
Learning Disability England
@LearningDisEng, via Twitter
… was won by speaking up
It’s often frustrating but, when we have the courage and energy to speak up, sometimes we achieve great things. Well done to all involved!
David Towell
Via Facebook
Easy-read lockdown guides
Mencap have created some easy-read guides about the lockdown in England, shielding and the vaccine. You can download easy-read Covid information at https://tinyurl.com/y9s2x3hp.
Community Living Facebook admins
Children lose out in lockdown
Disabled children deserve better. Our The Longest Lockdown report exposes a huge gap in support, as most disabled children are still missing out on health and therapy appointments.
See: http://bit.ly/DCPLeftinL.
Disabled Children’s Partnership
@DCPcampaign, via Twitter
Farewell, Rose, Community Living founder…
I will miss this lady who in our conversations showed humour, spirit, grace, intelligence and fierce care for those with vulnerabilities of all ages who she fought for even in her own poor health. A light has gone out in the world.
Lou Booth
Via Facebook
… whose wisdom helped families …
’m so shocked and saddened – she was a great help to our family with her wise advice and support. We will miss her greatly.
Eve Smith
Via Facebook
… and who was a lifelong inspiration
Rose was truly inspirational. She was committed to helping people with learning disabilities right up to the very end of her life.
Gill Levy
Via Facebook
