Britain’s Homecare Scandal
BBC News
April 9, 2009
Care of the elderly is a professional job. Assisting medication, feeding, changing, bathing, even using hoists demands a level of expertise we expect in the care of some of our most vulnerable people. But when Panorama went undercover in some of Britain's biggest homecare suppliers we found carers with little more training than they needed for a job in a burger bar.Our undercover carers were sent into companies where during months of research, we had heard first hand accounts of serious systemic failings. They completed four days of training with Age Concern Training, exceeding the government's national minimum standards. Emergency medical cover was on standby throughout the time they were working.
When applying for jobs, both Hayley Cutts and Arifa Farooq said they had some caring experience but no formal training. It wasn't long before they got work. Hayley's first job was with a company claiming to be Britain's fastest growing care provider with around 15,000 elderly clients.
Administrative errors
Hayley's training at Carewatch consisted of four 20-minute DVDs and a tutorial lasting 90 minutes. A check with the Criminal Records Bureau is a legal requirement but Hayley was allowed to work 14 shifts before she was cleared. The company apologised for what they said was an administrative error.
Abridged
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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Please go to source for full-text. It is disturbing to note that seniors are put at risks. The government must act to rectify shortcomings in the system.
Over-worked of carers cannot do their job properly. If we were serious about preventing elder neglect and abuse, we must ensure that carers are properly trained and screened.
...................... AC
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