Care homes putting lives of residents at risk, says CIEH
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has raised serious concerns about the number of preventable accidents in care homes. The public health organisation believes many of these ‘accidents’ are avoidable and could be prevented with more rigorous training for staff.
The CIEH cites the following incidents:
In March 2013 the owners of a of a Buckinghamshire care home were sentenced for serious safety failing after a frail 76 year old woman died following a fall from a hoist.
In late 2012 a South Lanarkshire care home provider was fined after an elderly resident died after breaking her neck in a fall. The court fined a care home £57,000 and said that the company failed to provide adequate instruction and supervision to their employees engaged in moving and handling residents.
A West Yorkshire care home was fined £183,000 after a resident was asphyxiated after becoming trapped in the gap between her mattress and incorrectly fitted bed safety rails.
Commenting, Jenny Morris, CIEH Principal Policy Officer said:
“Care homes have a duty of care to their vulnerable residents yet every year numerous residents suffer serious injuries from falls, slips and trips and scalding.
“Care home owners can face substantial fines, loss of reputation and in some instances custodial sentences for breaches of health and safety.”
To help reduce the number of accidents in care homes the CIEH has identified three elements:
•The care home must have safe, effective and practical operating plans in place
•Managers need to ensure all staff are fully trained and implement safe working practices at all times
•Staff need to receive regular training in health and safety, food safety and manual handling to ensure they remain up-to-date on the key issues
Concluding, Jenny Morris, says:
“What can be extremely frustrating when you read about the unfortunate incidents in these homes is that solutions are often very simple and straightforward. Often underlying problems can be solved with the appropriate knowledge, expertise and training.”
