Worried about the care my relative is receiving
Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between what might be poor-quality care and what could be abuse and neglect.
Differentiating between poor care and potential safeguarding issues
Poor care
- A one-off medication error (although this could, of course, have very serious consequences).
- An incident of understaffing, resulting in a person’s incontinence pad being unchanged all day.
- Poor-quality, unappetising food.
- One missed visit by a care worker from a home care agency.
Potential causes for concern
- A series of medication errors.
- An increase in the number of visits to A&E, especially if the same injuries happen more than once.
- Changes in the behaviour and demeanour of an adult with care and support needs.
- Nutritionally inadequate food.
- Signs of neglect such as clothes being dirty.
- Repeated missed visits by a home care agency.
- An increase in the number of complaints received about the service.
- An increase in the use of agency or bank staff.
- A pattern of missed GP or dental appointments.
- An unusually high or unusually low number of safeguarding concerns.
Restraint
In some cases the use of restraint or other forms of restrictive practice may be necessary and appropriate to keep an adult safe. Where restraint is used and the adult has capacity they must give informed consent. This means that they have been informed about the nature, purpose and consequences of the act/care/treatment that will be the restraint on them and they have freely given their consent without coercion. Where a person lacks capacity, the MCA can be applied to those over 16 and where there is an impairment/disturbance of the mind/brain; a best interest decision can then be taken about the restraint for the person. Any restraint must be carried out in the least restrictive way. Inappropriate or unlawful use of 'restraint' or restrictive practices could be regarded as either abuse or 'poor care'.
What can I do?
To discuss quality of care there are a range of agencies you can contact:
CQC: tell CQC about a bad or good experience of care or a concern about a service.
Healthwatch: for feedback about health and social care services.
Speak Out :: Healthwatch Bracknell Forest
Bracknell Forest Council adult social care teams can offer advice and support on concerns about poor quality care and safeguarding concerns on: 01344 351500.
Safeguarding concerns may be reported to Bracknell Forest using the online form:
I am concerned about someone or myself | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)
If emergency help is required when the office is closed, the Out of Hours Team can be contacted on 01344 351999
If you think someone is in immediate danger please phone emergency services on 999. Do not put yourself or anyone else at risk.