Suffering in Silence

To be treated with respect and dignity. This is the most basic of Human Rights.

Yet hundreds of Britain’s elderly citizens are denied this. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) recently published a shocking report.

The report, Rights, Risks and Restraints, is based on a survey of 253 older people and their carers and an analysis of complaints and official inspection reports.

Charities for the elderly are united in saying that abuse in the care sector is widespread.

75% of those surveyed said they, or someone they knew, had been restrained. Some old people are left incontinent. Others receive the briefest of visits and spend long hours alone.

This suggests that private care companies are breaking their contracts with local councils. If true, millions of pounds – paid out of our taxes - are being scandalously squandered.

Many of us were horrified by the recent Panorama programme Britain's Homecare Scandal. This investigation, across different counties, showed that abuse was directly linked to profit.

Some local authorities are using “reverse auctions” to award their contracts, with the business going to the lowest bidder. Panorama alleged that a care company based in Scotland was paid Ј9.95 an hour. This company provided care for Andy Wilson.

Mr. Wilson is, 78, unable to walk, hard of hearing and blind in one eye. He was shown by Panorama to be left alone for 14 hours on Christmas day. The Times newspaper further claimed that he had not been bathed or showered for 6 months.

The Government has to do more to ensure that such breaches of trust do not occur. With an ageing population, elderly people must be a top political priority.

Councils need to honour their duty of care to everyone. Old people have to be included in our society. They should not feel a nuisance or exception.

Carers also need to be treated with understanding. They should be given a decent wage. Whistle-blowers who expose intolerable working conditions and bad employers should be further protected.

Most important of all, the selling out of old people to the lowest contract bidder must be stopped. It is horrifying that the vulnerable and voiceless are exploited for financial profit. This is a sickness in our health service that needs curing fast.

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