Basic Home Care help ‘Breaching Human Right’

The findings have added weight to calls for a complete overhaul of the system. There are currently nearly 500,000 people who are getting council funded support in their own homes. The EHRC said that  basic care for older people, in their own homes, is sometimes so bad that it could be in breach of various parts of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In particular, it highlighted Article 8 f the Human Rights Act, which guarantees respect for dignity and personal autonomy, article 3, which covers the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment and article 2, governing the right to life.

Councils are already covered by the Human Rights Act but as they buy most care services from the private and voluntary sector, it remains unclear how well protected older people are. To rectify the situation, the ECHR said the law needed extending to clear up a loophole.

Tracey Morgan, Chief Executive, Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East said “Sadly, we come across issues of poor treatment or neglect on a regular basis and this is why we set up our own Home Care service, last year. We were involved in this Home Care Review and cited local case studies where older people were not treated with dignity, respect or worse.”

“We have been aware of older people being dressed in front of the window, offered a meal with no drink or to go to the toilet instead of eating. One lady, who is thankfully now well looked after in a Residential Home, was not prompted to eat. The Carer refused to offer her a shower because there was excrement on the bathroom floor which they said they were not paid to clean. In the end, our Advocate went in and cleaned the bathroom floor and coaxed this lady into taking a shower. If my staff are prepared to do this, why isn’t a qualified paid Carer?”

“In another instance, a man was treated as if he were invisible. He became increasingly confused following an infection, with leg ulcers reducing his mobility. Following an accident, the Carer referred to him, in front of friends, neighbours and Paramedics as “disgusting” because he fell and was found in excrement whilst trying to get himself to the toilet. The Carer did not even clean him.”

“In the current economic climate, Councils are reducing funding and tenders are being based predominantly on lowest price or what they are calling ‘market forces’.

“ Many private companies are trying to run their business and make some money but as costs are driven down, corners will be cut and quality will suffer. CQC requires Essential Standards are met and there is mandatory training but often, in reality, this is compromised because the hourly rate paid barely covers more than basic running costs.  Councils are usually not buying quality, they are buying cheapest.”

“If a Carer has only  been given  15 minutes with someone, you can see why they have to prioritise what they can do in that time. Often they are only paid for their time on site and no travel so again they are forced to cut corners to get to the next visit on time. This is not the fault of the Carer, who is often paid minimum wage. If fundamental needs cannot be met within the allocated time then the care assessment must be wrong.  Social Services staff may be under pressure to cut costs but their assessments really must accurately reflect what someone needs so that they are given the time and care required.”

“This is a very complex issue. Most Carers go into this work because they do care. Most Domiciliary Care agencies today really cannot be in it simply for the profit because there isn’t much.  For as long as costs continue to be driven down to unrealistic levels, care will be compromised and some of our most vulnerable people risk being treated shamefully, in their own homes.”

To listen to Tracey Morgan interview at BBC Berkshire Radio click on the green button below:

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Contact Tracey Morgan Tel: 07879 447512