Families have been left feeling distressed and anxious after witnessing the video of 88-year-old Ann King being tormented and abused by those meant to be caring for her. This is a realisation of the worst nightmares of all those who have loved ones in care.
This sadly, is not a case of a few bad apples, but indicative of a broken system. The sector is facing a staffing crisis due to low pay and poor conditions, and caring has become a profession of last resort with many homes being forced to recruit those with little or no other options. As a result, conditions in care homes have become untenable.
The Care Quality Commission is toothless to take on any issues that arise in private care homes. The campaign group Rights for Residents, of which I am a cofounder, has raised issues with the CQC on many occasions, as have individual families, and this is a typical response from them: “If you have experienced or seen poor care, you have a right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. We cannot make these complaints for you or take them up on your behalf because we do not have powers to investigate or resolve them.” There seem to be no consequences for those who provide poor care and the only people paying the price are our loved ones.
Prior to Covid, many residents and their families felt shut out from decision-making processes. This dynamic was further exacerbated during the pandemic, when residents were separated from their relatives and unable to advocate together. Many residents remain subject to unacceptable visiting restrictions, despite the government stating there should be none. The presence of relatives is the most important safeguarding mechanism, as they are often the first to spot when anything is wrong. Limiting family contact with residents has allowed the development of closed cultures that are a breeding ground for neglect and abuse.
How can this be solved? To start, staff shortages can be solved with better pay and conditions. Caring requires a level of empathy and skill that is not common to us all and should be properly rewarded. Investment in training is also critical. Those without the most basic level of educational attainment and training cannot shoulder such important work.
Residents and family members should be involved in developing future social policy, which includes discussions with ministers and policymakers. In addition, each care home should have regular meetings with residents and their families.
Finally, the government and the CQC need to come clean if the powers and resources don’t exist to investigate serious concerns reported to them. An urgent overhaul or complete reset is needed if the dignity and human rights of residents is to be safeguarded.
Social care needs to be properly funded by the government, and private care home companies need to reinvest profits into quality care, rather than pocketing large dividends at the expense of residents.
Unless there is urgent action, it’s inevitable that we’ll hear of more tragic cases like that of Ann King.
• Jenny Morrison is cofounder of the care campaign group Rights for Residents
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