May 2009
incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector
no.156 • £4.75 In association with
Home owner faces up to regulator By Dominic Musgrave AN ANGRY care home owner was forced to take on the might of the care regulator over the ‘adequate’ quality rating he received. Allen Heath, who runs Farriess Court in Derby, spent £3,000 on legal fees to get the grade improved to a ‘good’ after the then CSCI inspection claimed the home was failing over drug security, staff employment and residents’ privacy. He told Caring UK that he was forced to take the decision because the reasons for the lower rating for the 26bed home were, in his opinion, wrong. He said: “After getting my solicitor to write a letter to the commission pointing out their mistakes I got a phone call telling me the grading had been changed within a week. It cost me all that money, but I am not angry about that. I am angry because the bottom line is they got it wrong. “The regulator came back and said that I didn’t need to spend that money, but if I am telling them they are wrong I needed to have some clout behind me, and that meant involving my lawyer.” Allen said that if he had not appealed the decision he would have lost
thousands of pounds as Derby City Council pays more to higher rated homes. He added: “I spent the £3,000 on fees so they would listen, but the difference in stars equates to something like £5 per resident per week, which would probably mean around £7,000 over a year for a home like mine.” But Allen’s solicitor Stuart Marchant, who works for London care specialists Ridouts, says many owners are choosing not to challenge the regulator because they are scared of the possible repercussions. He added: “Many operators tell us they are scared of taking the inspectorate on, even though they are concerned about their report, because they don’t want to rock the boat. “At the same time, the care home operator needs to look after their business, and this can impact on them. Now that the reports are widely available to view online, many people looking to put a relative in a care home or not even considering one with either one or no stars.” Are you scared of the care regulator? Let Dominic Musgrave know by ringing 01226 734407 or emailing dm@whpl.net
Reporters uncover chaos
Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips will host the annual Skills for Care Accolades ceremony, which celebrate the achievements of social care employers. The awards are a partnership between the workforce development agency and the Department of Health, and entries are invited from local authorities, private care homes, training providers, local colleges and individuals who provide high quality care or training.
TWO reporters worked undercover as home care workers for a BBC programme which exposed neglect and chaos in the sector. The Panorama ‘Britain's Homecare Scandal’ documentary uncovered carers on minimum wages – often with very little training – frequently frustrated by poor management. It also found evidence of missed and curtailed visits; failure to keep proper care plans – including inaccurate records of what medicines should be taken; and untrained staff using equipment such as hoists. ECCA chief executive Martin Green said: “The Government’s policy of keeping more people in the community must be underpinned by an understanding that this is not a cheap option. If it is done properly it requires a radical review of how services are commissioned.” For further reaction to the programme turn to page 22.