Call for Independent Review at Care Homes

A lot has been published recently about the abuse or potential abuse of older persons who reside in care homes. Many have suggested the core reasons for this terrible situation, but little effect has resulted from efforts to change it. To address this, ministers are to set up an independent review of elderly care in England.

One expert team will consider how to improve quality and regulation to curb increasing rumors of substandard care.

The current regulator for health and social care is the Care Quality Commission, where ministers believe there is room for improvement. This means that an independent investigator will be necessary to determine the state of care for older people in homes, and also how this care is monitored.

One important factor will be that whistleblower information should be treated with the appropriate urgency. The massive size and responsibilities of the Commission tended to make this difficult, according to a telegraph report. This is one important point of attention.

Another focus point will be staff training. Calls for statutory training and the regulation of healthcare assistants will be thoroughly investigated.

It is encouraging that ministers themselves will be taking an interest in the care that older people receive. Such care must be given with the utmost respect for residents and their families.

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