Reacting to the Government’s and the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s (CSCI) responses to the recent Office of Fair Trading report into the care home sector‚ itself prompted by a super-complaint from the consumer group Which? and the Social Policy Ageing Information Network (SPAIN) a consortium of 28 charities‚ Pauline Thompson‚ a spokesperson for the coalition said:

“While we welcome the acceptance from Government about the serious problems which the Office of Fair Trading found in the care home market‚ we have reservations about the distinct lack of detail in how these will be tackled swiftly.  Older people facing difficulties in finding care home places‚ or understanding complex pricing structures or local authority obligations tell us that one thing they lack is time to wait for changes to occur.  Older people deserve better‚ irrespective of who finances their care.

“Further‚ we are disappointed to see that Government will not adequately back recommendations to level the playing field on protection and support if older people fund their own care home place.  Neither have they clearly addressed the issues that arise when additional payments are needed over and above the contributions from local Councils and residents themselves. 

“We welcome the positive commitments made by CSCI and in particular that it has given timescales to deliver. 

 “The OFT report has opened up a much-needed debate about the rights of older people as consumers.  The SPAIN coalition looks forward to engaging further with policy makers to secure better rights for vulnerable older people.

Media contact:

Help the Aged
Paul Bates
(on behalf of Social Policy Ageing Information Network)
Telephone:
020 7239 1941
Out of hours:
07730 912 524