Betrayal of our elderly care homes fail to make
MORE than a third of care homes in England are failing to meet acceptable standards, an investigation by the care watchdog has revealed.
Thousands of families pay for their loved ones to be looked after but inspectors found that in many failing homes they were in danger.
Of the 642 inspections published by the Care Quality Commission this month, 247 – or 38 per cent – were rated “inadequate” or “requiring improvement”.
The “unacceptable” variation in standards was last night described as a symptom of a “fragile” sector which staff were leaving in droves.
Jayne Connery, director of Care Campaign For The Vulnerable, said the findings were “disappointing”.
Appalling
“While some claims have been made that inspection outcomes are slowly improving that is of cold comfort to the residents living in the 41 inadequate homes,” she said.
“A read of some of those reports confirm that poor care is a daily offering for many of the people living in those homes.”
The Daily Express has been contacted by families who have spoken of their appalling experiences.
One heartbroken son, who did not want to be named, is currently in dispute with a care home in Buckinghamshire that charged £5,200 for his mother’s monthly care fees.
He claims his mother, who died aged 90, was left horrifically dehydrated in the summer heatwave by staff who neglected to make sure she was drinking enough.
On one occasion he was forced to call an ambulance after he said the manager refused.
According to the CQC one of the worst care homes is Sherwood Sherwood Lodge in Preston was placed in special measures after CQC inspectors visited in June. Here are their findings on key aspects of care:
Safe: Inadequate Effective: Inadequate Lodge in Preston, Lancs, which provides accommodation for 49 people.
Barchester Healthcare claims its team of “highly trained and professional staff are passionate about providing the best possible care”.
However, after a visit on June 18 inspectors rated it “inadequate” on safety, cleanliness, effectiveness and leadership, adding that failures had placed residents “at risk of harm”.
The company said: “We have taken decisive action to improve care at Sherwood Lodge, including appointing a new management team, along with a refurbishment programme, and are confident it is now delivering good care.”
The latest inspections found just 19 outstanding and 376 good homes. Some 206 required improvement and 41 were deemed inadequate.
Experts say annual staff turnover in England has reached 38 per cent for care workers and 32 per cent for registered nurses. Industry experts say each is a highly skilled job, but without the same pay, recognition and esteem as other sectors.
Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care, said: “We know many care providers are rising to the challenge and responding to the concerns we raise with them but the sector is fragile.
“Many are not improving at the rate we expect them to and in a small number we have found some deterioration. Although dedicated staff continue to provide safe, highquality and compassionate care, sadly this is not everyone’s experience. This has got to change.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said: “We are committed to ensuring that 83 per cent of providers are rated as good or outstanding by the CQC. We will outline plans for reform to ensure the sector is sustainable for the future.”