Care homes house 50 people with learning disabilities

Published on Monday 4 July 2011 10:53

Nearly 50 people with learning disabilities are being housed in elderly care homes in Edinburgh, it has emerged.

Charities have expressed concern about the "inappropriate" environments for people with conditions such as autism and Down's syndrome.

The figures were requested after a woman with Down's syndrome died in April, having been a resident at the Elsie Inglis care home in Abbeyhill, which was subsequently shut down.

The city council said it was happy that the 48 people involved were not being put at any risk by being in an elderly-specific environment.

Ian Hood, co-ordinator of the Midlothian-based Learning Disabilities Alliance Scotland, said the situation was not ideal for either the people with learning disabilities or the average nursing home resident.

He said: "I think there is a serious problem that needs to be looked at here.

"Elderly residents can be wary of people coming in with learning disabilities, especially if they are much younger and move around quicker and so on.

"Instead, they need to be in specialists units, but there is such a shortage of them that this makes it difficult."

The issue has come to prominence since the Elsie Inglis closure. Police, the council, NHS Lothian and care homes regulator Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland launched inquiries when 59-year-old Lynn Beveridge died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, having been a resident at the home.

Ms Beveridge's death sparked questions when it emerged she was in a facility designed for those considerably older and more frail than her, despite her additional difficulties.

Councillor Maureen Child, Labour's health spokeswoman in Edinburgh, who obtained the information, said: "I would hope anyone placed in residential care is put in the best place for them.

"I thought the question was worth asking after what had been going on at Elsie Inglis. I have been given assurances that those care packages are appropriate."

The figures from the council showed that it funds 43 people to live in elderly facilities in Edinburgh and an additional five outwith the Capital.

A further 148 people with learning disabilities are housed within specialist units.

A council spokesman said: "Before any individual is placed by the council in a care home, a multi-disciplinary assessment is carried out based on professional and clinical judgements."