Care visits to elderly unacceptable

Unacceptably short 15 minute home care visits to elderly and disabled people are still plaguing the care system in England.

Research by Unison has found “distressing” cases of care being compromised after surveying councils and care workers. Councils are not meant to schedule 15 minute visits for personal care, such as help with washing, dressing or eating. But the union said its findings showed many were still doing just that despite repeated calls for longer visits.

Guidance issued last year by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) said visits should last at least 30 minutes unless it was for a quick check-up as part of a wider package of care, such as calling in to make sure someone has taken medication.

Three-quarters of councils reported they used 15 minute visits although a third said they were for quick checks for justifiable reasons.

Half reported they had been asked to provide personal care for people they had never even met before with carers reporting they were left feeling “angry, ashamed and embarrassed” by the standard of care they could provide. Personal care is organised by councils although often provided by external care agencies.

Unlike NHS services, people have to pay for care, with only the poorest receiving state help, funded and organised by local councils

Around 500,000 people in England currently receive home care – with over 70% of those getting contributions from councils.

Another 1.5 million rely on family and friends for support.

Julie Crossley, a medical negligence lawyer at Ashtons Legal, comments: “We are already seeing cases where carers fail to attend, leaving elderly people vulnerable and in potential danger. Care in the home is being increased but it should be of an acceptable level otherwise there will be an increase in avoidable injuries leading to litigation.