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Government must 'lead' in protecting care patients

Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said the abuse of people with autism and other disabilities by carers "has no place in modern Britain."

He called on the Government to take a "lead role" in protecting patients, saying:

Organisations should ensure they have a culture where abuse is never tolerated, and this needs to come from the top. Where there are failings, the people at fault must be held to account.

The Government should take a lead role in ending poor commissioning and, equally, the local authorities and health bodies involved must ensure that the individual and their needs are at the heart of any care package.

Careful recruitment, regular inspections, the right staff training and a culture of mutual respect and support are essential in making sure that these kinds of revelations stay firmly in the past.