This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-14723108
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Increase in misconduct of those working in NI social care | Increase in misconduct of those working in NI social care |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Marie-Louise Connolly BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent | By Marie-Louise Connolly BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent |
An increasing number of people working in social care in NI have been found guilty of misconduct. | |
The latest case involves a Ballymena care assistant who physically and verbally abused elderly residents. | The latest case involves a Ballymena care assistant who physically and verbally abused elderly residents. |
From April 2010 to March 2011 there were 95 complaints against social workers and social care workers - a figure that has almost tripled in the past two years. | |
There are more than 14,000 workers registered in NI. | |
As a result of those complaints, 13 people have been brought before the Northern Ireland Social Care Council's misconduct committee. | As a result of those complaints, 13 people have been brought before the Northern Ireland Social Care Council's misconduct committee. |
The charges include physically abusing vulnerable adults and leaving them unclothed and unsupervised. | The charges include physically abusing vulnerable adults and leaving them unclothed and unsupervised. |
The council's chief executive Brendan Johnston said people should be encouraged and not intimidated about giving evidence. | The council's chief executive Brendan Johnston said people should be encouraged and not intimidated about giving evidence. |
'Concerns' | 'Concerns' |
"We would always want to ensure that where people have a complaint or there is an issue of serious concern that it is referred to us," he said. | "We would always want to ensure that where people have a complaint or there is an issue of serious concern that it is referred to us," he said. |
"From time to time you uncover something that has happened that really causes you some concerns. | "From time to time you uncover something that has happened that really causes you some concerns. |
"It's really important that people come forward with concerns that they have about any member of staff who doesn't live up to the high standards. | "It's really important that people come forward with concerns that they have about any member of staff who doesn't live up to the high standards. |
"I mean members of the public, I mean employers and I mean fellow employees." | "I mean members of the public, I mean employers and I mean fellow employees." |
Mr Johnston said he believed the recent introduction of compulsory registration to include childcare workers and social care wokers in adult homes was keeping a tighter control on a system that can be open to abuse. | Mr Johnston said he believed the recent introduction of compulsory registration to include childcare workers and social care wokers in adult homes was keeping a tighter control on a system that can be open to abuse. |
He highlighted that "the vast majority of social care workers are very dedicated and committed". | He highlighted that "the vast majority of social care workers are very dedicated and committed". |
"They deliver a service that's very highly valued and it's really important that you can depend on what you are going to get if you are in care," he said. | "They deliver a service that's very highly valued and it's really important that you can depend on what you are going to get if you are in care," he said. |
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), the Patient Client Council, individual trusts and the health board all provide ways for people to complain about the care of a loved one. | The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), the Patient Client Council, individual trusts and the health board all provide ways for people to complain about the care of a loved one. |
'Disjointed' | 'Disjointed' |
Joan Harbinson, the older people's advocate, described the complaints procedure as "cumbersome" and said it only deters people from making complaints about the care a family member was receiving. | Joan Harbinson, the older people's advocate, described the complaints procedure as "cumbersome" and said it only deters people from making complaints about the care a family member was receiving. |
"I think at the moment it is very disjointed because we have a number of different organisations who receive, if you like, different sorts of complaints," she said. | "I think at the moment it is very disjointed because we have a number of different organisations who receive, if you like, different sorts of complaints," she said. |
"I think that if you could operate a system where there was someone that could receive the complaint independent of the homes, that might actually be very helpful." | "I think that if you could operate a system where there was someone that could receive the complaint independent of the homes, that might actually be very helpful." |
One woman, who did not want to be identified, has both her parents in nursing care. Her mother is seriously ill and needs round the clock attention. | One woman, who did not want to be identified, has both her parents in nursing care. Her mother is seriously ill and needs round the clock attention. |
While she appreciates caring for the elderly is difficult, she said families should be allowed to voice their opinions and make complaints without fear of retribution. | While she appreciates caring for the elderly is difficult, she said families should be allowed to voice their opinions and make complaints without fear of retribution. |
"Nobody chooses to put their parents into a nursing home and it is a reluctant decision," she said. | "Nobody chooses to put their parents into a nursing home and it is a reluctant decision," she said. |
"You make a choice, which is the best choice you can make at the time, and I have just so many concerns about different aspects of their care and the system is so hard to work. | "You make a choice, which is the best choice you can make at the time, and I have just so many concerns about different aspects of their care and the system is so hard to work. |
"The system is complicated - very, very complicated - and I have tried everybody under the sun and everybody passes you on to somebody else and they mean well but they pass you on and it is just a nightmare." | "The system is complicated - very, very complicated - and I have tried everybody under the sun and everybody passes you on to somebody else and they mean well but they pass you on and it is just a nightmare." |