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Care home ratings 'may mislead' Care home ratings 'may mislead'
(about 2 hours later)
New star ratings for care homes in England have been criticised for giving a misleading impression.New star ratings for care homes in England have been criticised for giving a misleading impression.
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) gave 70% of providers a three star (excellent) or two star (good) rating.The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) gave 70% of providers a three star (excellent) or two star (good) rating.
But the charity Age Concern says many homes may have been given a one star (adequate) undeservedly.But the charity Age Concern says many homes may have been given a one star (adequate) undeservedly.
Its research found cases in which inspections had failed to establish residents were treated respectfully.Its research found cases in which inspections had failed to establish residents were treated respectfully.
Treating older people in care homes with respect is not an optional extra Gordon LishmanAge ConcernTreating older people in care homes with respect is not an optional extra Gordon LishmanAge Concern
In total, the CSCI rated 24,370 providers, of which just 3% were rated as poor (no stars). The star ratings are based on provisional assessments of 18,545 of England's 24,370 care providers, including care homes, nursing agencies and home care agencies.
The CSCI gave three stars to 2,338 providers, two stars to 10,357, one star to 4,636 and no stars, indicating a poor performance, to 648.
A number of other homes remain unrated either because they are newlyregistered, or they did not consent to their provisional rating being used forthe star system.
The CSCI argues that the ratings, alongside detailed inspection reports, give users and potential users of care services a comprehensive picture of the quality of care on offer.The CSCI argues that the ratings, alongside detailed inspection reports, give users and potential users of care services a comprehensive picture of the quality of care on offer.
Report surveyReport survey
But Age Concern said a survey of 50 reports on one star homes inspected in 2007-08 found more than half had either not been assessed on whether they treated residents with respect, or had recorded a failing score.But Age Concern said a survey of 50 reports on one star homes inspected in 2007-08 found more than half had either not been assessed on whether they treated residents with respect, or had recorded a failing score.
The charity found a similar pattern when it checked the same reports to see whether residents were being given a reasonable degree of choice and control over their own lives.The charity found a similar pattern when it checked the same reports to see whether residents were being given a reasonable degree of choice and control over their own lives.
Gordon Lishman, Age Concern director general, said: "Treating older people in care homes with respect is not an optional extra.Gordon Lishman, Age Concern director general, said: "Treating older people in care homes with respect is not an optional extra.
"A better description of the 'adequate' service provided by some 'one star' homes would be 'unacceptable'.""A better description of the 'adequate' service provided by some 'one star' homes would be 'unacceptable'."
Mr Lishman said people should read the whole report on any home they are interested in, rather than relying on the headline star rating.Mr Lishman said people should read the whole report on any home they are interested in, rather than relying on the headline star rating.
He said a care home had only to be rated as adequate in half of the 38 CSCI indicators to be granted an overall rating of one star, provided it passed in several key categories.He said a care home had only to be rated as adequate in half of the 38 CSCI indicators to be granted an overall rating of one star, provided it passed in several key categories.