| Care Homes for Older People |
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The Care Homes Action Group Launch Event was held on November 4. It brought together more than 60 people with an interest in this area to gain a common understanding of the issues and to define the priorities for the Action Group to look at. There were representatives from social services, NHS Sheffield, voluntary sector organisations, care homes owners and managers and LINk members. The findings from the event are currently being analysed. In preparation for the meeting, the Action Group used the LINk's legal power to request information from service providers and receive it within 20 working days. Questions were sent to the Care Quality Commission, NHS Sheffield and Sheffield City Council. The responses are attached here:
Since then the Action Group has been working hard gathering evidence of current practices in local care homes. They sent out a 'request for information' to all 89 local care homes for older people. Although not all replied, this has givem some useful data on facililties, staff training etc. Members of the group are also following up with those homes that have not yet responded. Aithorised representatives for the LINk have also undertaken a number of 'enter and view' visits to local home to observe care in action. So far, four visits have taken place and more are planned. The LINk has also taken a keen interest in the consultation around the likely closure of Birch Avenue and Woodland View care homes for people with dementia due to NHS Sheffield's plan to withdraw their 'top-up' funding. There has been an 'enter and view' visit to the home in March to talk to residents and staff. The authorised representatives reported that they are concerned for the wellbeing of residets should the homes be forced to close. and in early May, a formal 'request for information' was sent to NHS Sheffield to get more information about the basis of this plan and likely repercussions. Have you or someone you know had a positive or less good experience around care homes for older people? If so, We'd love to hear from you. Please contact us directly or Have Your Say on this topic. |
The Care Homes for Older People Action Group was formed to address a number of concerns brought to us by LINk members. It will focus on two main areas. The first is how poeple make the choice about a home, which covers information about homes and the whole assessment and eligibility process. The second part is about the care that older people receive inside residential and nursing homes.