panorama

[Worried Nurse]

I think the problem with setting minimum ratios is that it can lead to some care homes providing only the stated minimum. I have come across some homes which will only take people who are relatively independent, meaning the choice for people with high care needs (physical or behavioural support) is reduced and it doesn't account for increasing needs, so vulnerable people, dependent on others to anticipate need, have had to move as their needs increase. Generally (very generally), a home prepared to accept people with high care needs can charge more in order to staff accordingly and by stipulating staff according to needs of the population they care for, those accepting high care needs are expected to have higher ratios. That is the theory anyway (or so I am led to believe).

 

[jan.s]

Update

I thought you may all be interested to see the latest news from the Panorama programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-27492176

Hopefully all of this will begin to have an impact on the standards of care for vulnerable people.