Shock at care home evictions ‘out of revenge’

THE elderly are being kicked out of care homes after families make complaints about the way their loved ones are treated, a watchdog has revealed.

Care home bosses were warned yesterday that “revenge evictions” could be illegal.

Regulators were shocked at the scale of the problem following a recent investigation.

In some cases residents were found bruised or lying in wet beds and when families plucked up the courage to complain, their loved ones were evicted as a result.

Grievance

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released a damning report into care homes which suggests the cruel practice is “likely to be unfair under consumer law”.

A CMA spokesman said: “We have heard serious concerns that some care homes may be unfairly evicting residents or banning visitors as a punishment for making a complaint.

“It is essential people feel safe enough to complain when they have a grievance, without the threat of eviction or a ban. That’s why we have already urged the Government and sector regulators to strengthen current protections, as well as taking steps ourselves to ensure all care homes understand and comply with their obligations under consumer law.”

Consumer watchdog Which?, which appealed for evidence last year, said their initial analysis is likely to be just the “tip of the iceberg” and has urged Theresa May to step in.

Alex Hayman, of Which?, said: “This is an issue that needs to be looked at and we are hoping the Government will take action and improve the lives of those in care homes, this kind of behaviour should be stopped.

“They often feel powerless in the first place, when you are telling them that their enquiries are being dismissed that is very concerning.”

Mr Hayman has called for the watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, to investigate “revenge evictions”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are considering the findings of the CMA report carefully to ensure instances like these are dealt with.”