Negligent And Abusive Local Authority Care Home

[answer]

What rights and powers does a relative of a pensioner who has dementia, have in challenging a Local Authority Care Home whom they suspect to be negligent and also physically & verbally abusive towards the old person? Also, what happens if they demand to see his file?

[woofgang]

If the person is next of kin or named advocate, then they should go through the local authority request channels. Does the person have a named Community mental health nurse or other health care professional because they could help. If you have proof, then you can go to the police as this counts as assault.

[Melliexr]

The Commission for Social Care inspection should also be able to help - especially as it is a Local Authority home so the person may not want to go through the LA's own Complaints procedure. The CSCI regulates and monitors care homes and should give useful info. ANYONE should be able to raise issues to their attention. They have the right to look at all the records held in the home. Mind you, if the LA is any good, they should also have a Vulnerable Adults procedure that you could use too, that is supposed to protect people and it involves the police if necessary. You can also ask for the person to be moved to another home - the CSCI will have info on homes in your area and will publish reports on their performance. www.csci.org.uk