Inquiry into abuse at care homes

The author of a critical report on residential care is to head an independent inquiry into the abuse of mentally handicapped people in two private homes in Buckinghamshire. Tom Burgner, 65, a former senior civil servant, was appointed yesterday to conduct the inquiry into the Longcare case which ended earlier this year with three members of care home staff being found guilty of neglecting and ill-treating residents.

The investigation is being held following pressure from the Department of Health after criticisms from victims' family that Buckinghamshire County Council had not done enough to prevent abuse of mentally disabled people. The abuse occurred for a decade from 1983 at two homes run by Gordon and Angela Rowe as Longcare Ltd in Stoke Poges. Gordon Rowe committed suicide before he could be charged with raping residents. Angela Rowe was jailed for two-and-a-half years this summer for ill-treating and neglecting residents.