Action plan on care homes

Wednesday, 17 August 2005 12:00 AM

An action plan to improve the quality of service for elderly residents of care homes has been launched by the government today.

It comes in response to an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) report in May, which identified problems with the current level of service.

Among other problems, the OFT report found it was difficult for people to get hold of good information about care homes, and identified a need for guarantees on minimum standards.

Consumer minister Gerry Sutcliffe said that in "broadly accepting" the OFT's recommendations the government had made clear its determination to "make the care homes market work better for consumers".

The OFT said it broadly welcomed the government' announcement. "Choosing a care home is a major and difficult decision," OFT chairman Sir John Vickers said.

"Implementing the recommendations in our report, together with continuing OFT work, will help the care homes market work better for the public."

The action plan will see the creation of a central 'one-stop-shop' to give clear, comprehensive information for people choosing a care home for themselves or their relatives. There will also be an attempt to make sure homes provide clear price information before a resident moves in.

The government will work with the regulatory body, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), to ensure basic standards are met - such as over the existence of clear written contracts.

Health minister Caroline Flint said the OFT recommendation will help promote "dignity for our older people through information, choice and support".

"We are committed to improving the experience for older people and their families when they choose and live in care homes," she said.

The government also said it recognised that most older people wanted to carry on living in their own home, and care homes are "only one of a range of options" that need to be available for supporting people with long-term care needs.

The English Community Care Association (ECCA), the largest body representing community care in England, welcomed the government's response. But it said there needed to be a review of the role of independent care homes.

"The entire sector was disappointed by the OFT's omission to examine the local authority funding and contracting of care in independent care homes," ECCA chief executive Martin Green said.

"ECCA therefore renews its call for an independent review of the costs of care in every local authority in order for the fair rate for care to be calculated and paid."

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