Farleigh Hospital Inquiry

The Farleigh Hospital inquiry of 1971 examined allegations of cruelty, ill-treatment, and neglect at Farleigh Hospital, a long-stay institution for people with learning disabilities in Somerset. The inquiry found evidence of physical abuse of patients, including assault and improper use of seclusion by staff members. This inquiry formed part of a series of investigations into long-stay hospitals that began with the Ely Hospital inquiry in 1969 and continued with inquiries at Whittingham (1972), South Ockendon (1974), and Normansfield (1978). Together, these inquiries provided evidence that informed the shift in government policy away from institutional care towards community-based provision. The Farleigh inquiry's findings contributed to the government's 1971 white paper 'Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped', which established targets for reducing hospital places and developing community alternatives. Following the inquiry, the Hospital Advisory Service, which had been established after Ely, received expanded powers to inspect long-stay hospitals. Several staff members faced criminal prosecution as a result of the inquiry's findings. While no specific recommendations were recorded for this inquiry, its findings added to the mounting evidence that led to fundamental changes in how services were provided for people with learning disabilities in England.