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Yet Another Care Home Scandal !
http://
Yet again, we have to rely on the BBC to put one of its reporters into a care home, undercover, to find out what is really going on. The BBC doesn't have the resources to cover all the care homes, but the Care Quality Commission does. In fact, cases like this are the very reason that the CQC exists in the first place !
A quote from the BBC link ::
Minister for Care and Support Norman Lamb said poor standards of care were intolerable. "There's a stubborn minority of care providers who do not meet acceptable standards and those are the ones that we have to tackle "
How does he know its only a minority ? How many other places are being operated like this one ? If I had an elderly relative in a care home I would be very worried indeed this morning.
Yet again, we have to rely on the BBC to put one of its reporters into a care home, undercover, to find out what is really going on. The BBC doesn't have the resources to cover all the care homes, but the Care Quality Commission does. In fact, cases like this are the very reason that the CQC exists in the first place !
A quote from the BBC link ::
Minister for Care and Support Norman Lamb said poor standards of care were intolerable. "There's a stubborn minority of care providers who do not meet acceptable standards and those are the ones that we have to tackle "
How does he know its only a minority ? How many other places are being operated like this one ? If I had an elderly relative in a care home I would be very worried indeed this morning.
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Mickey, it is like everything reported. There are not hundred of people murdered everyday nor hundreds of druggies pushing drugs down their kids throats. Yes it does happen, and too much for my liking but it is not in epidemic proportions.
One of my daughters works in care. When she was working in a home they did get the bad apple but often the problem is language. Care homes employ a disproportionate amount of foreigners, many not speaking the language so not able to communicate properly. Add this to the fact that many of the older generation do not have the tolerance of foreigners pouring over them it becomes a powder keg.
The other side of the story that is always missed is the abuse the care workers get for being paid minimum wage. My daughter was regularly punched, kicked, bitten and spat at.
I doubt very much the Care Quality Commission does have the resources to cover all care homes.
One of my daughters works in care. When she was working in a home they did get the bad apple but often the problem is language. Care homes employ a disproportionate amount of foreigners, many not speaking the language so not able to communicate properly. Add this to the fact that many of the older generation do not have the tolerance of foreigners pouring over them it becomes a powder keg.
The other side of the story that is always missed is the abuse the care workers get for being paid minimum wage. My daughter was regularly punched, kicked, bitten and spat at.
I doubt very much the Care Quality Commission does have the resources to cover all care homes.
I can only speak from personal experience but the home in which my Mother spent the last 3 years of her life was very good.They would always let me know,by phone or on my regular visits, if Mum had knocked herself or had been poorly.I cannot speak to highly of their care for her.So,I think Mikey that once again BBC have discovered a few "bad apples" and will try and tar all of them with the same brush. Sorry for mixed metaphor.
Yes YMB there are a lot of "non Brits" working in care homes but the ones I came into contact with were very kind.I accept communication between them and the elderly can be an issue as well as race issues.However in my Mother's case as she was suffering from dementia it didn't really have any bearing because as long as she was kept clean and "fed and watered",which she was,she and I were happy.
Thanks for your reply ymb. Your daughter has my every sympathy. Its a job that I am not sure I could do and we must be grateful that there are people around who can. Who knows, you and I might be in one of these places later on in life !
I have just heard the representative from the CQC being interviewed on Radio 4 and looks as if they have been investigating this home for over a year, because of a whistle-blowers complaint. It also appears that the CQC were paying a visit at approx the same time that the BBC were investigating. So I still don't understand that if there was some evidence that there was a problem, and there was because the BBC found it, why the CQC were not able to identify it first ? What would have happened if the BBC hadn't been able to expose the scandal?
I too would hope that these incidents are isolated but my point is that we don't really know if they are or not. Who knows how many more homes there are that have these problems, unless people complain ? And the typical patients in these places are usually not in a position to complain in the first place.
I repeat...if I had an elderly relative in a place like this, I would be very concerned this morning.
I have just heard the representative from the CQC being interviewed on Radio 4 and looks as if they have been investigating this home for over a year, because of a whistle-blowers complaint. It also appears that the CQC were paying a visit at approx the same time that the BBC were investigating. So I still don't understand that if there was some evidence that there was a problem, and there was because the BBC found it, why the CQC were not able to identify it first ? What would have happened if the BBC hadn't been able to expose the scandal?
I too would hope that these incidents are isolated but my point is that we don't really know if they are or not. Who knows how many more homes there are that have these problems, unless people complain ? And the typical patients in these places are usually not in a position to complain in the first place.
I repeat...if I had an elderly relative in a place like this, I would be very concerned this morning.
From my experience of working in care homes and with many people that have worked in many care homes.
I would say that most care homes are satisfactory! Perfect? No!
In most homes "abuse" is in general limited to "institutional abuse" this is for instance: Auntie Doris doesnt want to get up at 07.00 for breakfast but she has to, the care staff need to get on and serve breakfast and they still have another 10 residents to get up, wash and dress. the same on going to bed, the late shift will often be required to ensure all residents are in bed by 10.00 so that the night shift can get on with their other duties, like cleaning, laundry and ironing etc. Its wrong, nobody is being physically abused but it is still abuse.
We are going in the right direction but we still have a long way to go.
When care staff get the respect they deserve and a reasonable wage we will then start getting more trustworthy and caring and responsible staff working in our care homes.
When most care homes are offering minimum wage or very little over that for qualified staff that are required to undergo often unpaid extensive training, it does not appeal to many people, it does however attract the wrong people, often those that cannot get work anywhere else.
I would say that most care homes are satisfactory! Perfect? No!
In most homes "abuse" is in general limited to "institutional abuse" this is for instance: Auntie Doris doesnt want to get up at 07.00 for breakfast but she has to, the care staff need to get on and serve breakfast and they still have another 10 residents to get up, wash and dress. the same on going to bed, the late shift will often be required to ensure all residents are in bed by 10.00 so that the night shift can get on with their other duties, like cleaning, laundry and ironing etc. Its wrong, nobody is being physically abused but it is still abuse.
We are going in the right direction but we still have a long way to go.
When care staff get the respect they deserve and a reasonable wage we will then start getting more trustworthy and caring and responsible staff working in our care homes.
When most care homes are offering minimum wage or very little over that for qualified staff that are required to undergo often unpaid extensive training, it does not appeal to many people, it does however attract the wrong people, often those that cannot get work anywhere else.
The CQC have an almost impossible job to do.
I have been present at a few of these inspections when suddenly the care staff are all on their best behaviour, there is a flurry or activity where staff disappear to rush to all rooms and check everything is in order and then when the staff are interviewed they lie through their teeth to give a good impression. I have seen the most vile of staff turn into sweet little angels, it sickens me!!
During my time in care I have had one manager sacked, two deputy managers sacked and numerous care staff. And I tell you it can be very difficult, trying to build evidence of abuse to make and submit reports is very difficult, so much of this abuse is done behind closed doors and certainly not in front of people that care.
I have been present at a few of these inspections when suddenly the care staff are all on their best behaviour, there is a flurry or activity where staff disappear to rush to all rooms and check everything is in order and then when the staff are interviewed they lie through their teeth to give a good impression. I have seen the most vile of staff turn into sweet little angels, it sickens me!!
During my time in care I have had one manager sacked, two deputy managers sacked and numerous care staff. And I tell you it can be very difficult, trying to build evidence of abuse to make and submit reports is very difficult, so much of this abuse is done behind closed doors and certainly not in front of people that care.
Ratter great answer describes the situation very well.
I think the same way , but I don't see what can be done about it. The care homes I have worked in (like all others I know) serve the main meal at midday.
I know most residents would prefer to eat the main meal in the evening, but staffing problems mean it has too be midday. Kitchen staff do not want to work until 10pm to cook, serve and clear up after an evening meal, most of them have familys at home to look after and need to be back home to look after /cook for their own familys.
I think the same way , but I don't see what can be done about it. The care homes I have worked in (like all others I know) serve the main meal at midday.
I know most residents would prefer to eat the main meal in the evening, but staffing problems mean it has too be midday. Kitchen staff do not want to work until 10pm to cook, serve and clear up after an evening meal, most of them have familys at home to look after and need to be back home to look after /cook for their own familys.
EDDIE, //I know most residents would prefer to eat the main meal in the evening,//
I must say that this has never been an issue where I have worked. I think with some of these situations it has to be accepted that the Home does have rules, and meal times are set. If someone specifically wants their meal main meal in the evening we would just plate it up at midday and re-heat it at tea time. We are very flexible with breakfasts, they have their breakfast whatever time they get up but dinner times and tea times are set, we will still however hold a meal back and reheat it later if required.
Like most care homes, the care staff will usually cook their evening meal, usually a simpler meal.
I must say that this has never been an issue where I have worked. I think with some of these situations it has to be accepted that the Home does have rules, and meal times are set. If someone specifically wants their meal main meal in the evening we would just plate it up at midday and re-heat it at tea time. We are very flexible with breakfasts, they have their breakfast whatever time they get up but dinner times and tea times are set, we will still however hold a meal back and reheat it later if required.
Like most care homes, the care staff will usually cook their evening meal, usually a simpler meal.
This profession does seem to attract the nasties, you know, the ones that like making others suffer, probably started off by pulling wings off butterflies. Sadly the whole profession gets tainted by a few phsychos. These homes should do more thorough phsyche tests and society should start banging up the purps for a long time.
How can they justify charging £1k a week and pay the staff minimum wage?
If you want to work in a nursery you have to train.Anyone can work with old people and abuse them and take advantage of them. It's a sad sorry state of affairs...
The 'carers' in my grandads home went to him with sob stories so he'd give them money. They didn't know he had an accountant....
If you want to work in a nursery you have to train.Anyone can work with old people and abuse them and take advantage of them. It's a sad sorry state of affairs...
The 'carers' in my grandads home went to him with sob stories so he'd give them money. They didn't know he had an accountant....
£1k a week? that is probably nursing home as opposed to residential.
Fortunately Care staff are getting far more training these days. Here in Wales, care staff need to do a diploma in Health and Social care and complete at least five day training every year. that is along with many courses. So far this year I have attended about 7 full day courses for my work.
Fortunately Care staff are getting far more training these days. Here in Wales, care staff need to do a diploma in Health and Social care and complete at least five day training every year. that is along with many courses. So far this year I have attended about 7 full day courses for my work.
