EIGHT in 10 people say they would agree to allowing their loved ones to be filmed 24 hours a day when in a care or residential home to protect them from neglect and abuse.
And more than half of people questioned in a national survey said their biggest fear when putting an elderly relative into a home would be that they’d be treated with a lack of genuine care and kindness.
The statistics have been revealed as part of a new ‘Love Our Vulnerable and Elderly’ (LOVE) campaign – led by Hudgell Solicitors – calling for CCTV systems to be installed in all care and residential homes across the UK.
Renu Daly, pictured, a specialist in abuse and neglect claims at Hudgell Solicitors, said: “We hope to gain support across the country – and in Parliament – for CCTV systems, whilst raising awareness of the abuse and neglect currently happening in many care homes.
“Ultimately, we are campaigning for the vulnerable and elderly to be loved, protected, respected and treated with dignity at all times when in care.
“We are also supporting campaigning mum Lisa Smith, 34, of Rochdale, who took her 86-year-old dementia suffering father out of care on Christmas Eve last year, labelling the four years he was in care as ‘a living nightmare’.
“She established an e-petition calling for mandatory CCTV in care homes, a petition which will ensure a Government response if it reaches 10,000 signatures, and a debate in parliament if backed by 100,000.”
Other findings from the survey revealed:
- 4 in 10 would not trust a care home or residential home to provide a safe environment for their loved one.
- 23% said that they were aware of someone that has suffered from poor quality care in a care or residential home.
- 55% of people questioned said that media stories relating to abuse and neglect have put them off placing a loved one in a care or residential home.
Mrs Daly added: “There is now a complete mistrust of the care industry in terms of providing a safe, loving environment for elderly and vulnerable loved ones.
“That is a sad situation, as we know there are many superb care providers across the UK.
“Unfortunately, there have been too many cases, many of which have been in the national media, in which poor standards of care and abuse have not been prevented. It is simply not acceptable to keep hearing the excuses of ‘isolated incidents’. It should not be happening at all.
“The introduction of CCTV cameras can help improve standards across the board, but also protect those homes performing to a consistently high standard, as they will not be subject to false accusations of poor care.
“There should be nowhere to hide, and for those falling below the required standards, CCTV would bring about an immediate improvement in performance.”
“Residents’ privacy is often used as a reason against having CCTV, but at present, they have no option at all, as there is no CCTV coverage. This survey has shown overwhelming support.
“We know relatives would feel happier with CCTV cameras in use, and surely the option now for relatives and patients should to ‘opt out’ of filming in private rooms if they wish, with all communal areas subject to round-the-clock filming.”
https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/medical-negligence/care-home-abuse/cctv-for-care-homes/
