Disability charity calls for ‘action, not words’ to end 15 minute home care visits

The Department of Health has responded to disability charity Leonard Cheshire’s campaign to end 15 minute home care visits.
In response to Leonard Cheshire’s campaign, the Department of Health said ministers were unable to support the amendments Leonard Cheshire called for in their ‘Make Care fairer’ report published earlier this month.

In a statement, the Department of Health said: “Although ministers were not able to support the amendments suggested in the report, they hope that supporters of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s campaign will be content with the amendment that the House of Lords agreed, which makes it clear that local authorities must consider a person’s wellbeing when arranging their care.

“The Department of Health fully agrees that it is unrealistic to think that 15 minutes is enough time to help people who are older or who have a disability to do everyday things like wash, dress and get out of bed.

“Better care is needed for the 300,000 people currently receiving home care and for the millions more who will need it in years to come.

“This is why, this summer, the department announced the Homecare Innovation Challenge, which has brought together local authorities, care providers and carers to look at how care can be improved, including the way councils buy their services.”

“The report and the accompanying online campaign have been a valuable opportunity to spread this message, and encourage local authority commissioners to change the ways they operate.”

Leonard Cheshire’s report showed 40 per cent of disabled adults receiving social care do not have basic needs met in their provision. These needs included activities like washing, dressing and getting out of the house.

The charities report also claimed 47 per cent felt their care services did not help them be part of their community.

In a blog posted on Leonard Cheshire’s website written by Jane Harris, managing director campaigns and engagement, criticised the Government’s response, highlighting the disappointment she felt about the Department of Health’s response to their campaign.

Ms Harris said: “At Leonard Cheshire Disability, we’re not campaigning just to ‘highlight’ the problem of 15-minute visits. We’re campaigning because we want to end them. We believe that disabled and older people deserve better than flying 15-minute visits. So no, Department of Health, we and our supporters aren’t ‘content’ with your response.

“Whether someone gets 15-minute care visits or longer shouldn’t be a matter of chance. It shouldn’t be a matter of local practice. It shouldn’t be something our government is trying to ‘influence’. It should be a fundamental part of our social contract.

“Sorry, DoH, but we won’t be sending you a thank-you note today. We will send a proper card – maybe even some flowers – when we see real action. Our founder Leonard Cheshire didn’t leave people’s dignity to chance – he took it upon himself to make a difference, which led to the charity we are today. Call us malcontents if you like, but we like action, not words.”

Earlier in the month Care and Support minister Norman Lamb announced plans to deal with rushed home care visits which included CQC consultation on changes to its adult social care approach in the spring of 2014.

At the National Children and Adult Services conference held last week, Mr Lamb: “The current approach to home care is not fair on those who need support, it’s not fair on care workers and it is stripping away the human element of caring.

“Fifteen minutes is not enough time to help people who are older or who have a disability to do everyday things like wash, dress and get out of bed. Some do not even get the chance to have a conversation with their home care worker, who may be the only person they see that day.

“These tougher checks would ask specific questions about the amount of time allocated for visits and whether staff are suitably supported to do this. This is particularly important because these are services delivered in private, behind closed doors. I want to build a fairer society, and that means providing better care in care homes, and in people’s own homes.”

Leonard Cheshire has also criticised the Government’s plans for a consultation early next year, claiming too little was being done to actively stop shorter visits being used.

Responding to Mr Lamb’s announcement, Shaun Williams, director of corporate affairs at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said at the time:“The government has an unprecedented opportunity with the Care Bill to stop the scandal of 15-minute care visits. But it is choosing not to take action.

“A one-off review next year is not the solution disabled and elderly people desperately need. The government needs to act decisively today or disabled and older people will continue to face impossible care choices of having a drink or going to the toilet.”