Who cares about care homes?

For millions of middle-aged children, finding good care for their parents is akin to a Grail quest — and just as unlikely to succeed. How can you tell if a care home is good? There are so many horror stories of neglect, abuse and even deaths. Most people rely on ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). But when the care regulator says a home is ‘good’, does that mean it is actually good? In fact, as I discovered, it could mean anything.

The CQC’s coveted ‘good’ grade is supposed to be a reassuring measure. It should tell you that your relation will be safe, because a team of inspectors has given the home its official approval.

Sad to say, this is extremely optimistic. Our care-home regulatory regime, far from being a guarantor of quality, is fundamentally flawed. ‘Good’ homes turn ‘inadequate’ in weeks, casting doubt on the veracity of ratings. And thousands of others are officially substandard with poor care and neglect practically endemic, calling into question the effectiveness of the inspection regime.

The CQC admits it struggles to maintain its schedule of inspections, so that third parties, rather than inspectors, often reveal what is really going on. Among the worst homes are dozens that were, until recently, on the CQC’s ‘good’ list. Following deaths, serious injuries, abuse, neglect or lack of staff, a sound of slamming stable doors has echoed around the country as they were downgraded to ‘inadequate’. It happens so regularly that one wonders if any ‘good’ home is the sort of place you would want to see your mother, or anyone else’s, living in.

Glowing reports are published, detailing how there were ‘hugs’ all round between staff and residents. This might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it is supposed to convey the idea that this is a good home.