Stop these rogue providers playing God

OUR message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Sajid Javid is clear: take urgent action to stop rogue care providers from playing God with the lives of our loved ones living in care.

The Government has listened to campaigners and issued guidance to care homes instructing them to allow every resident to nominate an essential care giver (ECG) who can visit “in all circumstances”, including during an outbreak.

Despite this, too many continue to ignore official guidance, preferring to dictate their own cruel visiting regime.

Some care homes tell relatives they’ll accept all “requests that fit the ECG status criteria”. But the rules are clear – there is no “criteria”, all residents can now nominate an ECG to provide “companionship”. What special “criteria” would I need to provide to my own mum?

The Government and regulator are fully aware of the appalling treatment of the most vulnerable in our society and yet they claim their hands are tied. The inaction on the part of the Prime Minister and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to intervene and make the guidance law, can only be described as a dereliction of duty.

Families of those denied their full visiting rights are tired of hearing ministers say they’re trying to “persuade” intransigent care bosses to do the right thing.

Back in December we were told by a Government official they preferred to use the carrot rather than the stick approach.

While that strategy has worked with some, there are too many who think they’re untouchable.

Some of the largest care groups are the worst offenders – seemingly holding the Government to ransom.

Care providers who are now welcoming families back into their homes are in despair at the damage the behaviour of others is causing to the image of the care industry.

Reluctant

Managers we speak to think they should hang their heads in shame.

It’s not surprising that an increasing number of families are reluctant to place their elderly or vulnerable loved ones in a care home.

The comment by Kate Terroni, head of the CQC, that “we continue to seek assurances from care home providers about how they are supporting visiting to happen” offers no reassurance to residents and their families.

She knows only too well some say they’re following official guidance while completely ignoring it.

She needs to start “seeking assurances” from relatives within the homes they inspect that visits are happening in line with the guidance.

This should include a clear commitment that every resident in the home is given the opportunity to nominate an essential care giver.