To keep a closer eye for the vulnerable’
CALL FOR CCTV TO PROTECT DEMENTIA PATIENTS
nightmare world that this horrific disease brings.”
The sisters claim their mum was often left thirsty, hungry and filthy at the home, which had already been safeguarded for poor care prior to her hip fracture. They now want to see a number of measures introduced, including making it the law to have CCTV in all dementia nursing homes and hospital wards.
Ashleigh said: “Dementia deaths, neglect and abuse should be a national outrage – if it were toddlers and babies suffering the same fate the public would be demonstrating on our streets. Yet our dementia suffer- ers are just as vulnerable; they are no different from vulnerable children and babies and desperately need protecting.”
A spokesperson for Hebburn Court said bosses have worked closely with the relevant authorities, including the coroner’s office, to learn from this “very serious” case.
“A full internal investigation was completed, and a number of changes were made,” the home said.
“We also have effective safeguarding and risk assessment policies in place, and a comprehensive training programme that all staff must complete.” The Care Quality Commission confirmed it is aware of the coroner’s findings.
The spokesperson added: “Our inspection team have been in direct contact with the family regarding our regulatory role and our inspection findings.
“Inspectors visited the service in November last year, in response to the specific concerns, and identified a breach in the fundamental standards as well as areas for improvement.
“However, inspectors did not find any significant risks to the people using the service which may have warranted enforcement action, and subsequently rated the home requiring improvement overall.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said the Government wants to make sure health and social care staff have appropriate training so they can support people with dementia. A spokesperson said: “We remain committed to making this the best country in the world for dementia care, support, research and awareness and we continue to make progress in ensuring better access to high-quality care, with more than one million dementia awareness training sessions delivered to health and care staff since 2012.” as