Elder Abuse: Sheltered Housing Abuse Scandal (UK)

Council must learn from its mistakes - leader
Published Date: 08 August 2008
By David MacLean

THE leader of South Tyneside Council says the council must learn from its mistakes over the sheltered housing abuse scandal.

Yesterday the Local Government Ombudsman reported on the case of two elderly residents of Curran House Mews complex in Jarrow, who were intimidated and humiliated by warden Nancy Storey.

Coun Iain Malcolm revealed that Cabinet members are now looking closely at the issue to decide whether to take any further action.

Meanwhile, pensioners' pressure groups have blasted the council over its failures during the investigation process.The council was heavily criticised in the Ombudsman's report for not fully carrying out an investigation at the time of the allegations in 2004.

John Berry, secretary of the North East Pensioners' Association, said: "If council staff have failed in their duties toward these people, then they should have the book thrown at them.
Responsibility must go right to the top."It is extremely important that older people are given a voice if their care or accommodation isn't up to standard.

"Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, said: "The findings in the report make pitiful and shocking reading. "It is appalling that the council failed to appropriately implement its own protection policy, a situation which obviously placed these people at serious risk.

Abridged
SOURCE: Shields Gazette
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