my experience of care homes
I am a qualified nurse and I have been working in care homes since 1993. I have worked for several employers and with three nursing agencies during that time.
The vast majority of the care homes that I have been worked in have delivered an abysmal standard of care, largely due to poor staffing levels and problems with equipment.
From what I can see, it is impossible to deliver decent care on the types of budget that these homes allocate. Why should the owners profit from the suffering of elderly people? In the last home I worked in, the central heating broke down and we had no hot water or heat for several days. We were wrapping people up in blankets and using the boiler to get hot water to keep them clean. It was disgusting and I got to the point where I couldn't stand it any longer so I left.
Don't even ask about blowing the whistle. I reported a care assistant for slapping and swearing at an elderly, demented lady and the incident was brushed under the carpet because the carer was working 4 nights a week and they couldn't afford to lose her. I had to leave that job because I couldn't face working with the care assistant that I had reported.
When inspection time loomed, the place was cleaned up, decorated, care plans hastily brought up to date, extra staff put on shift etc. It was a complete farce. Nobody ever sees the truth - apart from the demoralised staff who work in some of these places.
I agree with preserving dignity, but I think that people are naive to believe that these places are providing a good service. The basic minimum of care is only usually able to be delivered and sometimes, dignity is compromised simply because of the environment and lack of staff.
Even the decent places have their fair share of problems that nobody ever gets to see.
It worries me that the government and the public have no idea about what goes on in these places and that all we have to worry about is whether people have choices and enough to keep them occupied throughout the day. The problems are far more basic than these issues, as important as they may be.
Few people in care homes are motivated to speak out in case they lose their jobs.
At last someone has highlighted the problems i have encountered in care homes.I was a whistleblower and have had exactly the same problems as you.The inspections are a farce and everything was well prepared in advance as you said (There is no such thing as an un-.announced inspection!!!) As long as all the boxes are ticked nobody worries about the problems,Staff that do speak to inspectors are either handpicked or under threat of the sack if they say anything about care standards.
hi just to say Yes there is good and bad in some care homes. I work in a nursing home. Careful monitoring is done to ensure the best care is promoted. We encourage staff to speak out if they have any concerns. Dont get me wrong its not always perfect but we work as a team to promote the best care. Regular staff meetings give the staff a chance to speak out and be honest. The manager at times does not always agree but its the carers chance to say what changes can or should be made to make the home a happy environment. Discrimination is not shown to those who speak out. The home might not be perfect or tick all the boxes for some, but the clients are looked after good practice is promoted to ensure dignity is respected. I would put my job at risk and ring the correct agency if i thought our home was a bad one. Afterall a member of my family could be put there at some time.
when it was brushed under the carpet why didnt you report it to higher authority . instead you left the job so that means this person is still being abused by a carer i work as a carer and would fight to the end if i saw my residents subjected to abuse and i wouldnt be shy in tellin that carer that i was the one who reported them she should have been dimissed and you should have remained in the job .walking away doesnt benfit the abused person
I am really dismayed to read these posts...................this type of abuse is why the Adult Safeguarding Board and CQC exsist across the country.
Whistleblowing is not just a homes policy - it is a national and individual responsibility.
yes, leave if you must, I cannot imagine how awful it must have been to work in those conditions and feel that the only option was to resign, but make sure that the reasons for why you are leaving are shouted from the rooftops in the directions of the people who can do something about it.
Anyone can call CQC or Social Services and their information will be recorded and dealt with accordingly - you will not always be privvy to everything that happens as a result and you may believe that nothing is being done, but rest assured it will be.
I work for Social Services and undertake safeguarding work as part of my role. I work alongside CQC inspectors who investigate situations such as these and believe you me - it might look like managers can sweep things under the carpet, but the lumps can always be spotted.
Please report the things you witnessed for the sake of the perople who arent in a position to do so.
Nickyx
I agree with your comments that the CQC will record and deal with any reported issues. But surely it is vital that those who were involved in the incident are informed that their concerns have been dealt with - otherwise what is the incentive to try and rectify future problems?
In addition to this, if a member of staff makes a complaint about the home they are working in, why do the public never hear of it? Members of the public could be the eyes and ears of the CQC, monitoring improvements that a home is making in relation to a complaint or concern and flagging up new issues if they occur.
I strongly believe that we should work together; carers, residents, families, visitors, care home owners and the CQC in order to provide the type of care our elderly population deserves.
Communication and co-operation could be the answer to improved services without increased cost.
In my experience care home owners couldn't give a tinker's cuss about the care of their residents. Why should they - nothing happens to them when things are not right.
I'd love to have sight of the running costs of these places. How much do they pay their staff, how much do they allocate to each resident for food........
They are not charitable institutions (in the main) they are profit making organisations. The most important thing for them will always be PROFIT.
If you want to buy a care home you can see them advertised for sale alongside newsagents and kebab shops. I've yet to see any sign of altruism in any of them.
My mum and other relatives have been in a number of 'care' homes in this area and nearby and they have without exception been appalling. Yes, I did report them to CSCI (as it was then) and had my complaints upheld.
After a recent lengthy hospital stay we were told by senior hospital staff that my mum would be better cared for in a 'care' home. When asked which one they had to admit they had never been in one so didn't know.
It would be funny if it were not so serious.
In Scotland carers have a duty to report any abuse or suspected abuse to The Adult Support and Protection team (ASP). This should be done in conjuntion with management support but not necessaryly if that support is not there. All care establishments should have a poster and information on ASP's in Scotland, and details of the unit should be included on induction courses and folders etc. That team should lead any enquiry or follow-up. dstewart2
I agree massively with the necesity to keep lines of feedback open. Too often staff members that report issues feel that their reports are being filed in the deal with tommorrow drawer to be lost or brushed under the carpet. Now its totally understandable that there may be delays in response, but managers can be at fault of leaving disclosers feeling that they are falling on deaf ears.
I have worked in care homes in the past - ie from about the mid 80's. There was no reporting system for abuse at that time. There is now an adult safeguarding unit in every LA department, so there is no excuse for someone not to make an alert about any abuse that may be taking place.
I left one care home once, many years ago because I could not stand the outdated care practice and neglect of residents at the time. This was a LA care home and there was no whistle blowing policy aand no safeguards unit to report this too. So I do understand the feelings of people who have left feeling upset and disgusted. But as said there should be no reason to let this behaviour continue. Leave and then report, either to CQC or Safeguarding Unit. We need to break the cycle of abuse.
Your letter saddens me, not all care homes are abysmal although I do acknowledge they exist and have experienced these substandard levels of care. However I now work in what I consider a very caring environment with high expectations of employees. The company I work for own seven care homes throughout the country and have recently employed a Quality support Manager , experienced as an ex care home inspector her role is to ensure that our care standards are excellent and that residents, relatives and staff are satisfied that this is the case. Of course there have been issues but these are dealt with efficiently resolved in an appropriate manner. I hope that our role as Dignity Champions will be a major contributor in changing the face of care homes