What now for deprivations of liberty?
What will the effect of the postponement of the Liberty Protections Safeguards be on local authorities? Local Government Lawyer asked 50 adult social care lawyers for their views on the potential consequences.
SPOTLIGHT |
Major problems in the home care system mean that older people’s basic human rights are being overlooked, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned.
The watchdog added that the extent of human rights breaches was likely to be masked by a fear of complaining and the low expectations about the quality of homecare that many older people believe they are entitled to.
The EHRC said it had uncovered “many worrying cases” as part of its evidence-gathering for a major inquiry into home care for people over 65.
These include: people being left in bed for 17 hours or more between care visits; a failure to wash people regularly and provide people with the support they need to eat and drink; and people being left in soiled beds and clothes for long periods.
The research has also revealed high staff turnover, with some people having a huge number of different carers for tasks such as washing and dressing. The EHRC cited the case of one woman who recorded having 32 carers over a two-week period.
The Commission said it had identified several key issues with the system already. They are:
Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's Charity Director, said: "Despite commitments made by both the previous and current government, basic rights to dignity, respect and autonomy are still being breached. The biggest threat to the human rights of older people receiving care at home is from cuts to adult social care budgets and it is very unclear whether tightening eligibility criteria to care will allow local authorities to continue to meet their human rights obligations.
"We all share a responsiblity to ensure that we respect and care for those in the last years of their lives. We need to ensure that the funding, training and systems are in place to ensure that every single older person is allowed to live safely and with dignity. That is why the Dilnot commission must act as a clarion call to government to create a social care structure that ensures a sustainable and fair provision for this generation of older people and those to come.”
The Commission has been gathering evidence from a range of sources, including 54% of local authorities and 250 home care providers. It received 503 written submissions to its call for evidence, including 344 from individuals (older people, their friends and family).
A full report will be published in November 2011.
Philip Hoult