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Our comment on the closure of southfields care home‚ brackley‚ northamptonshire‚ after CSCI found residents put 'at serious risk'

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General for Age Concern England‚ said: “Checks on care homes need to be made more effective if neglect and abuse of residents is to be prevented.

“Inspections need to be more frequent and thorough. Homes rated as “good” only have to be inspected once every three years. This is not often enough to pick up changes that could affect resident’s safety and the quality of care. Nor is it justifiable for a home to have “almost met” a standard‚ which is currently allowed by inspectors. It is not good enough to “almost” care for vulnerable adults.

“Inspectors need to have the power to impose sanctions that would stop institutional abuse in its tracks. The new Health and Social Care Act will enable inspectors to levy fines if a home fails to meet the mark‚ but these need to be enough to be an effective deterrent.

“Residents must have their human rights protected. Denying a patient care is unacceptable and neglect is a form of abuse. The Government has promised to bring private care homes within the scope of the Human Rights Act‚ at least if they are providing care on behalf of local authorities. This cannot be done too quickly.”

 

ENDS



Note to Editors

  • Age Concern Northamptonshire is working with the local authority and PCT to find suitable accommodate for the residents of Southfields Care Home‚ Brackley‚ Northamptonshire.
  • The CSCI inspection report dated December 2007 reveals Southfields Care Home failed to meet standards for health and personal care‚ daily life and social activities‚ environment‚ staffing and management.
  •  “Around 70% of all registered providers have achieved an excellent 3 star or good 2 star rating. Only 3% of all 24‚370 providers fall into the poor category. The rest‚ 24% of all services‚ are adequate. The remaining 3% are either new services that have not been given a rating yet‚ or services that are subject to enforcement action by us.” (CSCI‚ May 2008)

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