BBC Documentary: Can Gerry Robinson fix dementia care homes?

11 December

Well this has been another busy week.

On 8 December 2009 the Care Quality Commission published guidance for all health and adult social care providers on meeting new essential standards of quality and safety that will apply across the care sector. (i.e. to replace National Minimum Standards). These documents are going to take us several days to read and comprehend fully. You can access the documents at:
http://www.cqc.org.uk//newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35743&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false

That evening there was a programme on BBC2 called “Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes?” I am only too aware of how much this programme upset so many of our members. It is not acceptable to have a programme made about some of the most frail and most vulnerable which is light entertainment.

The next morning I was stunned to find on the Care Quality Commission’s website a press release entitled BBC documentary: Can Gerry Robinson fix dementia care homes? and with the opening line:
The Care Quality Commission helped the BBC in the preparation of this evening’s programme on BBC2 (9pm), Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes? We provided statistics and background information:
http://www.cqc.org.uk//newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35745&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false

I cannot believe this press release. What were they thinking about?

It is just another concern about their practice that is chipping away at our confidence in them as the regulator.

Nadra has written to the Minister about this and I have written to senior Civil Servants.