SECURITY Eye in the Sky


Care Protect’s Ben Wilson explores how care providers can safeguard residents and protect against serious abuse with the adoption of in-house independently monitored cameras.


It is a fact that the vast majority of care homes are compassionate environments where residents can feel safe and cared for, however it is also a sad fact that there are individual cases of serious abuse that occur, even in the best homes.


The media regularly highlights safeguarding issues within care homes. Shocking video footage showing carers physically and verbally assaulting, or wilfully neglecting vulnerable people has emerged and has proved vital in securing convictions and raising standards of care.


We hear more and more about relatives who have taken matters into their own hands when they have had concerns about care provided to their family member. There have been numerous cases where care workers have been dismissed or prosecuted after evidence captured by relatives, who had installed hidden cameras to find out what was happening when their family member was being ‘cared for’.


I strongly believe that the use of independently monitored cameras, utilising innovative technology and software, is something that the sector needs to consider and debate, to safeguard both service users and staff.


Providers adopting this technology are reporting that, after a little initial uncertainty, it is embraced by both families and staff and has helped to satisfactorily and quickly resolve serious issues raised, without reverting to extensive investigations, or in some cases, unfair staff suspensions. Recorded images provided the necessary evidence to


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ensure no doubt existed as to what had happened on each occasion.


Our own, and other research, has revealed that around two-thirds of people would be more likely to choose a care home for a family member if independently monitored event triggered cameras were in place.


These results demonstrate that families remain concerned about care homes generally and would welcome the use of consent given independent technology and monitoring to provide evidence that care services are beyond reproach.


‘‘Two-thirds of people would be more


likely to choose a care home for a family


member if independently monitored event cameras were in place.’’


In today’s world of very limited public sector and local authority finances to support the employment of more and more inspection personnel, and with a very significant increasing elderly demographic that will require long term care, technology has to be the answer to monitor care delivery on a 24/7 basis and enhance safety and security.


Privacy concerns have naturally been raised whenever the use of cameras within care homes has been discussed, but such concerns should not override the need for an informed debate about technologies that can materially improve safeguarding for vulnerable people.


These concerns can be addressed in a manner that will allow relatives and residents to have confidence in such a consent given system. It is also vital that any camera system operates independently of providers themselves, with third party trained health and social experts reviewing any events. Those reviewers can use their experience and training to assess incident severity and recommend what action is required and in what time frame.


By adopting a transparent and independent review of camera images that may constitute untoward events, the wellbeing of adults and children can be improved and they can be much better safeguarded and protected.


No image can ever be supressed or hidden. There’s no question over whether those bruises on a resident’s arm appeared as a result of an accidental fall or abuse. There’s no question about whether vulnerable people are being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.


Using technology in this way will contribute to the raising of standards and lead to greater confidence among service users and their families.


It really is high time, after 30 years of no real change in abuse and scandal patterns in the care sector, that new innovations were tried and tested to improve the safety and welfare of all those who receive care services.


We must open a debate on the subject, with an open mind and a willingness to consider change. What do you think?


www.care-protect.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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