Care homes association defends its record on abuse

Chair of the National Care Homes Association Sheila Scott has
defended the organisation’s record over tackling elder abuse
following a stinging attack by an MP, writes Derren
Hayes. 

Scott “refuted” any suggestions the NCHA did not
take elder abuse seriously and said its primary aim was to raise
standards of service across the sector.

Her comments came after Labour MP for Stourbridge Debra Shipley
publicly raised concerns over the association’s failure to
respond to her six letters detailing elder abuse in care homes.
Shipley asked how NCHA could ensure that new staff were suitable to
work in a care home without having a Criminal Records Bureaux check
– something Scott has argued for.

“If individuals within the care homes sector wish to lobby
for the removal of protections for care home users, it is incumbent
upon them to explain how they will ensure new care home staff are
suitable for the job,” Shipley said.

However, Scott said it was a breakdown in communication and that
she had replied to a number of the letters. “I wrote to her
on 11 May and again last week saying we could meet and clear the
air – there’s been some sort of
misunderstanding,” she added.