The 23 June was World Whistle-blower’s day, so it seemed timely to reflect on the subject, in particular a reminder of the law, updates to relevant guidance, the CQC’s approach to whistleblowing and best practice for providers. Law Whistleblowing legislation was implemented 25 years ago, through the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (“PIDA”) being incorporated …
During my time as a Solicitor at Ridouts I have been approached regularly by health and social care providers who are overwhelmed, frustrated or simply confused about complex safeguarding investigations. Processes to report and manage allegations and then fully investigate them are in place in order to protect vulnerable people. There are few that would …
Safeguarding In Adult Social Care: Harnessing A Runaway Train Read More »
At Ridouts, we are regularly contacted by providers in relation to issues that they are having with the Local Authority Safeguarding Team and Section 42 safeguarding enquiries. This article considers some of the issues that arise as a result of Local Authorities failing to understand their duties and remit under the Care Act 2014 and …
The Issue With Local Authorities And Safeguarding Concerns Read More »
Some pharmacies in the UK have been criticised for informing patients using multiple different drugs that they will no longer have blister pack boxes, otherwise known as dosette boxes. The dosette boxes are a form of multi-compartment compliance aids (“MCCAs”) and are delivered to patients addresses. Why are pharmacies removing them? Some pharmacies are removing …
Pharmacies criticised over amending pill boxes affecting the elderly Read More »
Safeguarding allegations are a hazard of the job when you work in health and social care. At Ridouts we are approached regularly by providers who are overwhelmed, frustrated or simply confused about complex safeguarding investigations. Processes to report and manage allegations and then fully investigate them are in place in order to protect vulnerable people. …
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”) has been consulting on its ‘Safeguarding Adults in Care Homes’ guideline. The NICE guideline covers keeping adults in care homes safe from abuse and neglect. It includes potential indicators of abuse and neglect (by individuals and by organisations) and sets out the safeguarding process from identifying …
NICE consultation document on Safeguarding Adults in Care Homes Read More »
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will shortly begin a consultation on their on its draft guideline on safeguarding adults in care homes. The consultation will begin on Thursday 3 September 2020. The project documents are online and available to view here. The guideline is intended to ensure that staff can raise safeguarding …
NICE seek stakeholder views on Draft Guideline on Safeguarding Adults in Social Care Read More »
On 11 August 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”) published a Quality Standard on ‘Decision making and mental capacity’ (Quality Standard [QS194]). Quality Standards are reviewed by NICE every August and have the aim of helping practitioners improve the quality of care they provide or commission. Quality Standards are endorsed by …
NICE guidance on decision making and mental capacity Read More »
According to CQC’s board meeting minutes of 15 July 2020, 50% of CQC’s physical inspections were informed by whistleblowers during the COVID-19 period, which demonstrates that CQC is taking whistleblowing disclosures very seriously. The 15 July 2020 board meeting minutes also stated that “…In the month of May we completed seven inspections due to intelligence …
All providers will (we hope) be familiar with safeguarding referrals. These need to be made to the relevant safeguarding authority when certain incidents, events, or near misses arise in the provision of care services. Many events which lead to safeguarding referrals also fall within the definition of what must be notified to the CQC as …
Safeguarding referrals – to notify or not to notify the CQC? Read More »
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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