State-run trainng centers for mentally disabled aduts in Virginia (VA) have long come under fire for incidents of patient abuse and neglect. Now, data collected by the state's Adult Protective Services agency show that as many as 1,200 cases of neglect and abuse were reported for residents of privately operated long-term mental health care facilities during 2011.
Those fidings were filed by advocates for keeping state training centers operating past a 2020 shuttering negotiated between federal and Virginia health care regulators. Under that plan, treatment for mentally disabled adults would be almost completely privatized in the commonwealth. A federal judge is considering the agreement and is expected to rule on its legality by May 2012.
The independent Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy also filed a brief with the federal court that highlighted problems at privately run training centers.
Abuse and neglect of residents of nursing homes or in-patient treatment facilities has been a problem in Virginia and beyond. When someone’s life is entrusted to places like these it is paramount that they be treated with care and respect. While many long-term care facilities are remain underfunded and understaffed, those difficulties do not excuse providing substandard services.
If a loved one has suffered from neglect or abuse while in a nursing home, group home or in-patent treatment facility, please contact a Virginia nursing home attorney. And to remain aware of possible nursing home neglect, please read this article.
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About the Editors: The Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
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