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January 2013
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no.200 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Sector risks a ‘return to its Victorian past’ By Dominic Musgrave THE care sector is in danger of slipping back into the institutional ways of the past, it has been claimed. London housing association Family Mosaic’s ‘No Going Back’ report urges care providers to recognise and counter the culture of institutionalisation that characterised long-stay hospitals from the 1800s until the mid to late 20th Century. The study pinpoints a range of practices and attitudes that are making a return in some modern care homes, including: Strict systems of rules, oppressive codes of conduct, and authoritarian regimes based on hierarchical systems of management and a lack of training, particularly of lower level staff. Strict routines that give no opportunity for choice, for example, in what time to get up or go to bed, or even when to go to the toilet. Excessive reliance on medication and physical restraints, often for minor perceived misdemeanours. A lack of empathy and respect for patients leading to them being seen, and treated, as objects rather than as individuals. Patients being left alone with no interaction for hours at a time.
Brendan Sarsfield, chief executive, said: “We have seen how quickly even the most modern supported housing schemes can move to institutionalised practice if providers are not vigilant. “We would argue that if providers don’t believe this has ever happened in their services, it just may be that they haven’t looked hard enough. “Our organisation is committed to raising awareness so that theirs and others providing services do not slip backwards into the old, discredited styles of practice.” The report goes on to highlight several ways for care and support service providers to identify possible poor practice, advising that certain evidence should be regularly investigated. The report concludes with recommendations to care and support providers of how to develop a model and good practice to combat institutionalisation – based around four key themes of dignity, privacy, raising concerns and choice. Family Mosaic recently introduced a programme called ‘Changing Direction’, intended to ensure that the provision of all its services follows a clearly articulated model of care and support with an emphasis on personalisation, dignity and respect.
CQC role for chair of Norfolk NHS Trust
Hollywood star Carey Mulligan shared Christmas memories with Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street, launching a new campaign to help relatives spot and support loved ones with dementia over the festive season. Carey, star of upcoming blockbuster The Great Gatsby, spoke about Christmases with her grandmother ‘Nans’ while the Prime Minister shared a story about rushing son Ivan from hospital down to Devon in time for a family Christmas.
DAVID Prior is to be the new chair of the inspectorate. The current chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will take up his new post on January 28. CQC chief executive David Behan said: "I am looking forward to working closely with David Prior to ensure the CQC’s success in driving improvement across social care and health. “The next phase of the CQC's development is vital to delivering success in protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of people who use health and care services. Guided by the findings from our Strategic Review, David Prior will play a pivotal role in chairing the board and working with stakeholders. David’s experience within the NHS, as well as his wider governance and industry experience will prove vital in meeting the important regulatory challenges ahead.”