Learning Disabilities: Transforming Care

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Thursday 9th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

This is an area of healthcare about which I am least informed, so I would very much like to do that.

[Baroness Brinton (LD)]

My Lords, Sir Stephen Bubb’s update report also said that the review was going forward very slowly. The Minister has also referred to this. What is the new timetable for the full implementation of the Bubb report?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

It is a three-year timetable. The intention is to reduce the number of in-patient hospital beds by between 35% and 50%, as I said. There will be a review at the end of the three years to see whether that can be taken further. The truth is that progress seems painfully slow until you look back to where we have come from. We have come a long way over the last 20 years, but nothing like far enough or fast enough. An old Chinese proverb says that it is better to light one candle than curse the darkness. We are making progress, but it could be quicker.