Severe negligence occurring in elderly care homes has been uncovered as a widespread national issue by numerous media sources.
Closer to home, MM have revealed a string of these incidents in the Greater Manchester region, highlighting only a small part of a wide scale issue.
Examples range from a bed-ridden resident being left next to a crash mat full of excrement to elderly residents being left at risk of infection.
MM took to the streets to find out whether Mancunians believe care homes in the firing line should be struck off:
Do you believe care homes that fail to provide sufficient health and safety for residents should be closed?
| YES | 82% |
| NO | 18% |
Speaking about the issue of under-performing care homes in general, this is what the Manchester public had to say:
Daniel Castellain, a 24-year-old language teacher, said he felt the UK’s elderly came homes were poor compared to abroad after speaking to his foreign students.
“In some cases reasons for closure of care homes are due to the lack of management and resources,” he said.
“The equipment, buildings, and staff are arguably just not up to standard.”
Manchester University student Conor Litton felt that that it would be hard to know which care homes would provide an adequate health service when put down to choice.
The 18-year-old said: “How do you know who to trust? I wouldn’t see a home necessarily shut down but certainly looked into”
“I’ve never found myself in a situation such as affording healthcare for parents or ensuring their well being but I imagine it is heart-breaking.”
TRUST ISSUES: Conor Litton said you don’t know which care homes to trust
Helen Ellaby a 24-year-old student, felt strongly that any home found guilty of negligence should not continue to operate.
“Care homes found to have neglected residents in care should be struck off,” she said.
“I’d also be worried that not the necessary training takes place compared to NHS nurses in a hospital.”
Emma Elliot, a 22-year-old clinical trial assistant, also believes that care homes should be struck off if they fail to uphold procedures.
She said: “In our working day we worry about what’s for lunch, or what time’s the bus home, whilst our elderly residents may be fearing for their safety. This is not right.”
FEAR FACTOR: Emma Elliot felt elderly residents shouldn’t have to live in fear
However, 25-year-old student Harriet Pritchard believes a better wage should be provided to attract more moral carers and ensure standards are met.
“There is argument money attracts those for the wrong reasons but a better general working wage all round would see shocking incidents fall,” she said.
Manchester University worker Charles Barry feels that the privatisation of care homes may not be helping matters.
The 24-year-old said: “There is a nationwide concern over the privatisation of many care homes and that the Government need to be ensuring the quality of homes is properly regulated, otherwise as we’ve seen in some cases, it becomes murder.”
Image courtesy of Abbeyfield Kent, with thanks.
