RCN comments on CQC inspections of home care

Published: 13 February 2013

Responding to a report issued today (13 February) by the CQC, which identified a number of problems and concerns about the delivery of care to people in their own homes, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said:

“The ageing population means that more and more of us will need care at home at some stage in our lives, and we need to know that it will be dignified and with the patient’s best interests at heart. There is currently excellent practice being delivered by some providers which is keeping people well and allowing them to stay in their own homes. However, it is concerning that there is not 100% compliance by all providers on any of the essential standards that the CQC looked at, such as safeguarding. Older people receiving care at home may be particularly vulnerable and often have complex needs, for which staff need a good level of understanding and training. This means that consistency of carer and not a different individual each time is of paramount importance. Above all, this report raises serious questions about how home care is scrutinised when not all providers monitor the quality of the services they deliver and how families and carers can be certain that it is safe and of a high standard.

“Nurses working in this area can help to ensure that the care given meets the needs of the patients, and home care providers should invest in this expertise to bring all care up to the best standards.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nursing staff and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.