Crisis of failing homecare services an outrage - UNISON

The current system of homecare is failing the people who receive it and the people who provide it, UNISON said today.

A new report from the UK's largest union has revealed widespread concern from homecare workers that short visit times and changing client lists are severely impeding their ability to provide quality and continuity of care.

Many workers have reported 'topping up' care, by providing additional unpaid care in their own time, to the detriment of their own personal lives.

The union described the treatment of those receiving care and workers - who are among the most poorly paid in the country - as an outrage.

Key findings include:

. 79.1% of respondents reported that their work schedule is arranged in such a way that they either have to rush their work or leave a client early to get to their next visit on time.

. 57.8% of respondents were not paid for their travelling time between visits, which results in many being paid below the national minimum wage.

. 41.1% are not given specialist training to deal with their clients' specific medical needs, such as dementia and stroke related conditions.

. Only 43.7% of respondents see fellow homecare workers on a daily basis at work. This isolation is not good for morale and impacts on the ability to learn and develop in the role.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

"This report has highlighted the very real crisis of our current homecare system, which is failing both the people receiving care, and the people providing it.

"Short visiting times, and ever-changing client lists are severely limiting the ability of homecare workers to provide quality and continuity of care. But they are speaking out, and they are rightly appalled.

"It is an outrage that homecare workers, who provide care to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, remain so poorly treated and badly paid. Homecare workers show their real commitment and passion for this valuable public service on a daily basis but it is not right that are propping up a failing system by providing care in the own time, to their own personal cost.

"The value of their work, and the contribution they make to the communities they serve must be recognised.

"This report sadly shines a light on the reality for many people who rely on homecare - a production line mentality which limits the ability of staff to carry out their duties, and puts the dignity of those receiving care second to meeting arbitrary targets.

"It is time for the councils who commission or provide these services to take responsibility for the welfare of those who receive, and provide them."

Homecare workers report that the sheer volume of clients, and the pressures of under-staffing, have lead to 'call cramming' - where visits must be cut short to fit them all in. The consequences, as the testimonials reveal, can be harrowing. (See notes).

UNISON has put together an Ethical Care Charter to assist councils who provide or commission home care to help ensure this care is of the best possible quality.

Key points include:

. Workers to have the freedom to provide appropriate care and being given time to talk to their clients

. Clients will be allocated the same homecare worker(s) wherever possible

. The time allocated to visits will match the needs of the clients. In general, 15-minute visits will not be used as they undermine the dignity of the clients

. Homecare workers will be paid for their travel time, their travel costs and other necessary expenses such as mobile phones

. Visits will be scheduled so that homecare workers are not forced to rush their time with clients or leave their clients early to get to the next one on time

ENDS

Below are some examples of on-the-job experiences of homecare workers who responded to our survey:

" A client was not answering her door so I rang the office so they could phone the client. There was no answer and I was told to abort the call but I refused, as I was sure the client was in. She was and had had a fall. She was hospitalised and later died."

"I left a client with a burst water pipe. Was told to leave even though she was 93 years old and could not pick up a bowl and bucket of water."

"An elderly lady was being sick; I called the doctor but couldn't wait for him to arrive as I had to go to my next visit."

" Have had to leave a client with open sores as was not able to contact family to get them to apply dressing. Have had to leave pills out for a client with dementia as she was failing to take them."