‘There’s no time to just have a chat’
RACHEL Lindfield, 26, routinely carried out 15-minute visits for one of the UK’s largest private homecare providers.
She said she had no time to offer simple ‘companionship and care’ because she was so busy rushing to complete the practical tasks.
Miss Lindfield, who lives in south-east London, said she was expected to make someone a meal, help them to the toilet and check their medica- tion – a list of jobs she found ‘literally impossible’. She added: ‘There was no time to sit with them, ask them how they are, just have a chat. It leaves you with no time to provide that companionship and care.’
Miss Lindfield, who is now employed as a foster care worker, added that many 15-minute visits were shortened to allow carers time to get to the next patient.