sequoia said:
I sympathize wholeheartedly and just feel furious this stuff is going on. Similar things have happened to one of my relatives and there just doesn't really seem to be anyone with enough care and power to do something about the lax and sometimes negligent care provided to the most vulnerable. There sems to be a lot of buck-passing going on.
If it helps, you really are not alone in what you experiencing. But, use some of your energy to pressure to ensure better care. You could perhaps also write directly to the minister overseeing care of the elderly. Phone the Houses of Parliament to find out who this is and/or find out the civil service department and phone them to get advice -- I've found them very helpful.
Hi and thanks for the sympathy.
No matter what does or doesn't come of this complaint I cannot imagine ever regretting instigating it. I am also glad that I didn't accept the first response that I got, although that would have been very easy to do and I couldn't blame anyone else for doing the same.
Quoting from the most recent letter from CSCI
'If I could begin by way of explanation to you of the role CSCI has regarding Complaints. We have no statutory powers or responsibilities to investigate complaints'
I find that extremely disturbing
However, the letter ends by saying
'I do appreciate the situation you found yourself in and wish to assure you that the Commission will actively pursue any provider that does not comply with the regulations, and will stamp out poor practice.'
These appear to be two contradictory statements.
I feel most sorry for people in these homes who have no one to look out for them, no one to visit and report any concerns. That is one of the reasons I have pursued the matter. Sadly, many of the residents in the home my mum was in had few if any visitors. This home also had an unannounced inspection last year because there had been an anonymous call alleging that residents were being got out of bed extremely early - from 5am onwards
This complaint was proven but I only found out by looking at the reports on the CSCI website. There should be legislation in place that requires ANY substantiated complaint to be reported to relatives of residents, providing no ones privacy is breached in the process.
I'll climb off the soap box now (never needs dusting as I'm on it so often)