UK’s largest care home groups face calls for an investigation
Voyage Care, one of the UK’s largest care home groups, has been hit with serious allegations; CQC action likely against several Homes of 11,000-employee group; Employees are concerned; With media attention, CQC inspections will be strengthened in other care homes; The case of the patient’s death due to an overdose of medicine has put the care group in the spotlight.
A major UK care company is being called for an investigation after safety concerns were discovered. After “i news” discovered that since being taken over by Kuwait’s state fund less than three years ago, one of the biggest providers of care homes in Britain has suffered a dramatic decline in safety standards, there are calls for an investigation into the matter.
Over 280 residences and 3,500 persons with learning disabilities are cared for by Voyage Care, which has received nearly £500 million in public funding. In 2022, the £700 billion Kuwait Investment Authority acquired Voyage Care.
Nevertheless, safety standards have declined at about a third of these residences after the acquisition, according to a review of 75 CQC inspections, and there have been claims of abuse and unexplained bruising. Police were alerted to a facility earlier this month after a resident passed away in December 2022 from a lethal dosage of drugs.
In response to an inquiry by “i news,” the Department of Health and Social Care expressed its “deep concern” over the findings.
Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated that a prompt investigation of the results is necessary.
Ms. Cooper stated: “The government should be alerted to these startling claims and they should be looked into immediately.
“It is no secret that the social care system is collapsing, but these purported missteps that put vulnerable individuals in danger are unacceptable.
Following inspection delays, Ms. Cooper, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesman, urged the government to restructure the Care Quality Commission as soon as feasible.
“The Government needs to go so much further – and faster,” the spokeswoman stated. “We hope that the review of the care regulator, the CQC, by the Government will deliver improvements so that all allegations of this kind are identified and addressed quickly by a regulator that is fit for purpose.”
“Liberal Democrats remain committed to pressing the Government to initiate expeditiously cross-party discussions on social care, with a focus on examining our demands for free personal care and increased pay for carers, to enable all individuals to obtain the necessary care and lead dignified and independent lives.”
Voyage Care responded to an inquiry by “i news” by highlighting its excellent record of CQC reports, in which over 90% of its properties had a “good” or “outstanding” rating. Nevertheless, during the previous five years, over 100 of its properties have not undergone a reassessment. According to Voyage, 28 of its care facilities that were given an improvement rating have been waiting more than a year for a reinspection.
Voyage declared in a statement to “i news” that it is the “highest quality provider of specialist care for working-age adults with complex needs in the UK” based on CQC data.
“Despite our long-standing reputation for quality, there are regrettable occasions when we do not meet our own high standards,” the statement read. As a company dedicated to ongoing development, we take prompt action and collaborate with regulators and stakeholders to proactively address any issues.
“CQC acknowledges that providers are finding it difficult to show improvement as a result of post-pandemic delays in their inspection process. When services are reinspected after complaints have been made, we would be happy to do so because we know the improvements will show up in our ratings.
“We value the safety, well-being, and happiness of the people we support above all else.”
Voyage continued, saying that the oil-rich Gulf state’s sovereign fund, Kuwait Investment Authority, had significantly increased the company’s shareholding and that any profits had been reinvested rather than withheld.
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