The Guardian has reported that almost 2m bed days in hospitals have been wasted since 2010 because deepening problems in social care mean patients cannot be discharged, according to new research. Some elderly patients are being trapped in hospital for up to 30 days – a day longer than four years ago, on average – …
Social care problems lead to hospital bed blocking, says Age UK Read More »
A Serious Case Review was published yesterday into the abuse found at Orchid View. According to the review, the financial problems of Southern Cross contributed to the poor care service users received at the service and the “inadequate focus on care” by its managers “put vulnerable people at risk.” The inquiry makes 34 recommendations about …
A serious case review investigating events at Orchid View care home will be published later today. Events at Orchid View involved 19 unexplained deaths. An inquest found that all 19 people who died received “suboptimal”care and five of the deaths were from natural causes “which had been attributed to by neglect”. The families of relatives …
The CQC website has recently been updated to include ratings of hospitals and NHS Trusts that have been inspected as part of CQC’s pilot of the new inspection regime. Such ratings awarded under the pilot scheme are referred to by CQC as ‘shadow ratings’. The new regime is due to officially come into force from …
It has been announced that Robert Francis QC, the individual who led the independent inquiry into the scandal of poor care at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust, is to join the CQC board as a non-executive director. Mr Francis stated “The CQC has a vital contribution to make towards people getting safe, compassionate and effective care. …
According to Pulse, CQC is having difficulties recruiting GPs to carry out inspections under the new inspection regime. GP inspectors are currently being sent on practice visits without receiving any formal training because the regulator is struggling to recruit enough GPs to attend every inspection. CQC has apparently sent out emails to all GPs, informing …
According to a survey by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, some patients are having to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act to ensure they receive necessary care due to the pressure on mental health beds. Denying a person of their liberty should only be done when a person is a risk to themselves or …
Patients sectioned due to shortage of mental health beds Read More »
From September 2015, Ofsted will only use directly employed inspectors to inspect schools and colleges and will no longer use third-party contractors. Currently, most inspectors are employed by outsourced private contractors. Ofsted believes that the changes will mean direct control over the “selection, training and quality assurance” of inspectors. Chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has …
Since 2009 the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) has seen a 130% increase in adult social care complaints. Last year there were almost 2,500 complaints which was a 13.8% increase on the previous year. According to the ombudsman’s 2013 review, more complaints are made about assessment and care planning than any other issue. Last year, 442 …
During CQC’s board meeting last week, figures were presented which showed that CQC enforcement actions issued to NHS trusts increased significantly. Between 2012 and 2013 CQC issued 21 enforcement actions to NHS trusts which increased to 73 enforcement actions between 2013 and 2014. The increase in enforcement activity follows publication of last year’s Francis report, …
Ridouts is a team of specialist health and social care lawyers, providing dedicated legal advice for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals.
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