There are mounting concerns around the quality of care in Isle of Wight residential homes, a health watchdog has said.
In its Intelligence Report for 13th February to 12th March, Healthwatch Isle of Wight also drew attention to a ‘lack of speciality consultants leading to delays in treatment’ and a ‘lack of access to NHS dentistry’ as key issues facing Islanders.
Its findings show dissatisfaction with Island health and social care services is continuing to climb.
Overall feedback gathered was 57% negative (162 submissions), 4% mixed or neutral (4) and 39% positive (113).
The combined total of bad feedback has risen by five percentage points since Healthwatch’s January to February report, with positive responses falling by 6 points.
In relation to residential care, Healthwatch heard:
“People waiting too long when they want to go to the toilet, and then having accidents which are distressing for the client.
“Not enough activities and only the more able clients chosen for (these) and nothing for the less able.”
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The most common topics, GP services and dentistry, received over 40 and over 20 negative pieces of feedback respectively.
One GP user told the watchdog:
“I didn’t feel heard or helped. A very scary experience resulted in a text to say to book a phone call appointment online, next one was three weeks away. Leaving me with the problem and no sense of how bad it is.”
Another resident spoke of being on the NHS dental waiting list for 4 years, not being able to afford private dental treatment.
Many families could do more to help,
instead they make up excuses and dump their
parents into homes.
I must say many other Faith’s look after their own,
might be a lesson for others!
Don’t forget how you arrived on earth.
The problem you have is the lack of money in the case industry, most care staff are on minimum wage (or slightly above) and you can get into care with no qualifications or experience. With all that in mind, the care industry can attract a certain ‘type’ of person which you wouldn’t want caring for your elderly relative.
Only loved ones can give the care to their elderly
parents, many persons don’t even care about their
own parents yet alone someone else’s parents.
Unfortunately, because the Labour Government has brought in higher National Insurance costs to employers for each member of staff, and energy costs have risen enormously – this problem will escalate as some homes will try to cut down on staff numbers to save money where they can.