Baroness Casey says NHS failing people with learning disabilities
Baroness Louise Casey's review finds NHS unable to treat people with learning disabilities, prompting criticism of care system.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Baroness Louise Casey, who leads the government's independent commission into adult social care in England, has told ITV News that the NHS is failing people with learning disabilities. In an exclusive interview, she said hospitals in particular are unable to sufficiently treat and look after them, and that some health professionals see caring for them as a burden.
The commission, set up to reform the social care system, has brought forward its deadline from 2028 to the middle of next year after the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, promised to fix social care. Baroness Casey noted that there had been 22 reviews in the last 30 years, making this the 23rd attempt.
She also criticised the scale of privatisation in the sector, accusing private companies of profiteering. She said she objected to companies making "bag loads of money" from care services, and that she would prefer to keep money in the country rather than see British taxpayers' money go to foreign entities.
The interview comes as the government faces pressure to address the stark health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities, who die on average 20 years younger than the rest of the population. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the inequalities were unacceptable and that the commission would set out next steps.
But Baroness Casey warned that before asking the public to pay more, the system needed to be fixed. "Why would we put more money into a failed system if there's a private provider that's taking 12, 15% profit out of running care services for people?" she said.
She also described the current system as a patchwork, with some people paying through their own assets and others relying on local authorities, and called for honesty about the costs involved. The commission is due to report to the Prime Minister next summer.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Baroness Casey questioned the role of private and foreign providers in social care, expressing concern about profits and the use of British taxpayers' money. | |
| Baroness Casey reportedly believes some NHS staff treat people with learning disabilities as a burden. | |
| People with learning disabilities die on average 20 years younger than the general population. | |
| Private care providers are reported to be taking profits of 12% to 15% from care services. | |
| The NHS, particularly hospitals, is reported to be unable to adequately treat people with learning disabilities. | |
| There have been 22 social care reviews in the last 30 years. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This early lunchtime bulletin gives a concise summary of the key findings, focusing on the NHS failure and the profiteering criticism. It includes a brief response from the Department of Health and Social Care, framing the story as a government-commissioned review with a promise to fix the system.
- “The National Health Service, particularly hospitals, are unable to sufficiently treat and look after people with learning disabilities.”
- “There have been 22 social care reviews in 30 years.”
This longer evening report goes deeper into the exclusive interview, highlighting Baroness Casey's harsh criticism of NHS attitudes and the scale of privatisation. It includes analysis from the investigations editor about likely recommendations, including a reduction in private-sector involvement and opposition to foreign ownership of care companies.
- “It's seen as a burden so what people were talking to me about is like when they go to the doctors they will look at the carer they won't look at the person.”
- “I'm a great believer in not letting other people take British taxpayers' money whoever they are.”
The News at Ten report repeats the key interview moments but adds a sharper political analysis, noting that the commission's deadline has been moved up due to Andy Burnham's promise. The presenter's follow-up with the investigations editor stresses that a blunt recommendation on privatisation is likely, and that much of Baroness Casey's language will be 'music to his ears'.
- “It's like it's got a one-track mind. You've had a stroke, it's a medical condition. If I can't medically treat you, it's game over, not our responsibility anymore.”
- “There have been 22 reviews into fixing social care in the past 30 years. The Casey Commission is 23rd time lucky.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.