Following the media circus surrounding the use of CCTV cameras in care homes where it was found 93% of Britons agree with putting cameras in care homes is a good idea, the subject was debated in Parliament last week.
Former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve led the debate and has called for legislation to make CCTV compulsory in all care homes, as reported by The Express.
Mr Grieve said: “CCTV is sometimes seen as the spy, but that’s not the intention. It will provide a powerful tool, I think, for helping prevent abuse and improve standard.”
Caroline Dinenage, the minister of state for health and social care, commented the decision should be left up to the individual care home following the debate being divided on the need for compulsory adoption of CCTV.
Campaigner Jayne Connery said: “CCTV would help us safeguard those who are no longer able to safeguard themselves.”
Facebook user, Morag Martin, commented on a Quality Care Campaign post, said: “It would good to capture good behaviour too.”
Ben Wilson, Care Protect’s business development director for the UK, said: “Care Protect has irrefutable proof that using surveillance and monitoring technologies in care home environments improves the quality of care provided and brings a level of transparency and reassurance for families and residents.
As to mandatory use across all UK care homes, that isn’t for us to determine. We do believe, however, that if an Act of Parliament required this and all providers complied with that legal requirement, a very significant reduction in abuse incidence would result. On average we noted a reduction in safeguarding referrals of some 24% in the first six months of system use.”
Madeleine Masterson commented a Quality Care Campaign Facebook post and said: “My mum is currently in a care home where thanks to her memory not being spot on (but even if it was) this situation is an invitation to bend rules.
The possibility of negligence is always there and from six years’ experience in four nursing homes I would stick a camera in all of them. For those who don’t respect residents who are entrusted to them and need respect and proper care then I say let’s see who they are.”