Disabled man David Cording felt locked up in care
David Cording, a disabled man, described feeling imprisoned in a care facility for eight and a half years, highlighting concerns about disability care.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A disabled man from Bristol has described feeling "locked up" in a council-run care centre for eight and a half years, despite being told he would only be there for a few weeks. David Cording, who uses a wheelchair, said living at Concord Lodge felt like being in prison. The centre, run by Bristol City Council, has since closed, but the authority has apologised and paid compensation after complaints were upheld.
Mr Cording moved to Concord Lodge in 2015 after an incident in which a support worker was injured and his relationship with his carers broke down. He was supposed to stay temporarily while alternative accommodation was found. Instead, he remained there for nearly nine years. In interviews, he described the experience as "being locked up" and said he felt isolated. The lodge had locked gates, and visitors had to be escorted. Mr Cording did not know the codes or keys to the gates until five years into his stay.
Although Concord Lodge was rated good by the Care Quality Commission while it was open, Mr Cording's supporters said the building was unsuitable. His flat had no kitchen, he could not get outside, and carers refused to push his wheelchair on health and safety grounds. His family and friends complained, and the Local Government Ombudsman later upheld those complaints.
After four and a half years, Bristol City Council apologised and paid Mr Cording £5,000 in compensation. But he remained at the lodge for another four years. The council said it had tried to find alternative places, but they were not appropriate for his needs. Mr Cording's friends said they visited potential homes with him, but some had showers that were impossible for a wheelchair user to access.
Eventually, after nearly nine years, Mr Cording moved back into his original flat with more support. His friends and his mother, Jenny, estimate the total cost of his stay at Concord Lodge at over £2 million of taxpayers' money. They described themselves as "appalled" that a council-run facility could keep someone locked away for so long.
In a statement, Bristol City Council said that where people's needs are complex and specific, it can present additional challenges in identifying suitable options. It said it always tries to offer a person's preferred choice, but resources and the capacity of external providers mean that may not always be achievable. Earlier this year, the council settled a civil case brought by Mr Cording's family and friends, paying a further £25,000 without admitting liability.
Mr Cording is now back in his own flat. Asked what it is like, he said: "Really good." His case has raised wider questions about the quality and suitability of care for disabled people in council-run facilities.
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 | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Bristol City Council apologised and paid David Cording £5,000 compensation after four and a half years. | |
| David Cording's stay at Concord Lodge lasted eight and a half years. | |
| The total cost of David Cording's stay at Concord Lodge was estimated at over £2 million. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This is a local investigative report from BBC Points West, focusing on the personal experience of David Cording and the failings of Bristol City Council. The tone is sympathetic to Mr Cording and critical of the council, highlighting the emotional toll, the length of stay, and the financial cost. It includes direct quotes from Mr Cording, his friends, and his mother, and gives the council's response for balance.
- “Being locked up. No breathing.”
- “I would say Concord Lodge was pretty much a prison. I could say it was an open prison, but it was very much a prison.”
- “Appalled. Absolutely appalled. I can't believe something that was council-run could have gone so badly wrong.”
Broadcast Timeline
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