Fears over care for elderly
Monday 15th December 2008, 3:00PM GMT.
ELDERLY people could be at risk in both public and private nursing homes, warns a major Scrutiny review following a number of complaints about the standard of care.
And many families say they are fearful that care of their loved ones will suffer if they pursue complaints, the review has revealed. The Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny panel have concluded that a whistle-blowing system is needed so that people feel confident making complaints.
Fears have also been expressed that staff working in independent residential and nursing homes cannot be police-checked and that the care of the elderly could be at risk because of their vulnerability. While gathering evidence for a review into the long-term care of the elderly, the panel became aware of a number of cases where patients in both public and private care homes had reported unsatisfactory experiences regarding their own or relatives’ care.
The panel became so concerned from information they received about two cases that they have asked Health and Social Services to carry out an investigation. Panel lead member Deputy Roy Le Hérissier (pictured) told the JEP: ‘We met with Health and Social Services to discuss them and hope to have a follow-up meeting. For reasons of data protection and personal privacy I cannot discuss them in any detail. Suffice to say, family members thought their loved ones were not receiving the proper care.’
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“Fears have also been expressed that staff working in independent residential and nursing homes cannot be police-checked and that the care of the elderly could be at risk because of their vulnerability.”
That’s totally incorrect as it’s now compulsory to have a police check in all care homes – my sister has worked in 5 care homes and was police checked every time!
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Furthermore – not enough is being done to prevent the ill treatment of the care workers. Some residents make nasty comments, spit and even hit their carers – more than once has my sister come home with a bruise caused by a patient in a care home for the mentally unstable elderly.
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Its about time a whistle blowing campaign is started, personally i know of a friend who receives care in a private home and although i can say, the staff in this establishment give excellent and helpful treatment which is second to none i am afraid that the staff are run off their feet, obviously private care and nursing homes are there to make a profit and this shows in the numbers of staff looking after patients.
Some of these homes are converted buildings which are not purpose built and lack specific requirements such as lifts and adequate equipment, but as i said earlier no blame can be put on the caring staff, i am afraid its all about balance sheets and fat cat owners
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Pictured alongside the article, is one of the bewildered elderly people.
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I refer to Lula’s comment regarding the ill treatment of care workers………..if you are working in a care home for the mentally unstable elderly residents, surly you can expect them to behave in a perfect manner, or they wouldn’t be classed as mentally unstable!!!!!
Personaly I take my hat off to ALL care workers as they do a fantastic job, but if you go into that occupation, whereby you are working with the elderly, they can be difficult!!!
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i agree with lula. the residents are very well protected, teh staff however have to put up or shut up
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