Care homes warned to keep on top of safety amid coronavirus crisis

Rachel Adamson, head of fraud and regulatory at Adkirk Law, highlighted the importance of safety for care homes during the current pandemic.

She said: “There has been a lull in the monitoring and inspections because of the pandemic but care home operators should be aware that lockdown doesn’t mean there will be any less rigour in dealing with safety.

“It seems obvious, but the issue of infection control is one of the key measures being examined and care homes should be ready to be visited at any time, and having robust processes and systems in place will provide evidence of safety.

“The Care Quality Commission has increased the level of enforcement action in recent years and has made it clear it will take action if people are at risk in the pandemic. It is important that providers be prepared for the calls with their inspector.”

Whilst the CQC has temporarily halted routine inspections during this emergency period, it has retained its regulatory role by implementing a new Emergency Support Framework, designed to ensure risks can be identified and acted on.

The CQC inspectors are looking at four key areas of care home provision covering safety including infection control, staffing arrangements, protection from abuse, neglect and discrimination and processes dealing with the health, safety and wellbeing of staff.