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20/5/14
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June 2014
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no.216 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Care provider consulting on CCTV cameras
By Dominic Musgrave
THE UK’s third largest residential care provider has announced a consultation on visible CCTV cameras to be installed in all of its care and nursing homes as the latest measure to tackle the abuse and neglect of elderly residents. The suggestion would mean care providers are encouraged to offer an ‘opt-in’ scheme where residents and their relatives would be able to ask for cameras to be placed in their rooms. HC-One is confirming that it intends to ask residents, families and staff if they would support such a measure. If they do, HC-One will be the first provider to implement this kind of scheme. A ComRes poll asked more than 2,000 adults whether they would support or oppose cameras in care homes. Four-fifths supported the installation of visible cameras – and over a third said they strongly supported the measure. Two years ago, failings were exposed at an HC-One home, when a relative used secret filming in a resident’s room. Since then the group has been considering the controversial issue of using cameras in all its homes, and discussing the potential scheme with stakeholders and regulators.
HC-One’s chairman Dr Chai Patel said: “The secret filming that took place in 2012 showed shocking and distressing failings. We do not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we remain deeply sorry to the resident and their family. “As soon as we became aware of the situation we took immediate action. Over the last two years we have had conversations with our stakeholders and our regulator about the potential use of cameras in homes to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents. “This is, and always will be, our number one priority. As an organisation, and as a sector, we need to move forward and tackle this problem once and for all. Unannounced inspections by the CQC, local authorities, and our own service quality teams are important, but alone they do not always uncover the actions of a small number of individuals. “This is why we feel placing cameras in care homes can only help protect the wellbeing and dignity of those we support. We hope that, as a society, we can start an open and honest debate on this most vital issue.” I Do you back the idea? Let editor Dominic Musgrave know your view by emailing dm@scriptmedia.co.uk or on Twitter @caringuk.
Members of staff to learn sign language
Mezzo Soprano Laura Wright dropped by at the Orchard Day Centre, Epsom, to help celebrate the launch of the Care UK Wellbeing Foundation and partnership with Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s leading music therapy charity. Laura – who has more than a million album sales under her belt and is England’s official anthem singer for the rugby – is a VIP Ambassador for Nordoff Robbins, the first chosen charity partner for the Wellbeing Foundation. The charity received a £50,000 donation from the Foundation, which will fund more than 1,500 music therapy sessions across the country.
MEMBERS of staff at St Marks Court in Gateshead are learning sign language to enable them to communicate more effectively with one of the home’s residents. Manager Nikki Coulson and nine other members of staff are taking part in a 10-week course for the benefit of resident George Conway, who is deaf. She said: “Everyone at the home agreed that it was really important for us to learn sign language to offer George the best possible care and we are always more than happy to do anything that will benefit our residents. It is vital for George to feel included and part of the community at St Marks Court and we didn’t want George’s hearing loss to be a barrier for him.” The members of staff have various different roles in the home, from carers to kitchen staff to the handyman, which will make it as simple as possible for George to communicate with staff about all aspects of his care.