Harrogate care home hits back at CQC's criticism over use of 'patronising' language

A residential home in Harrogate that specialises in caring for people with learning disabilities has been reprimanded by the CQC because its staff called residents affectionate names such as ‘sweetie’, ‘darling’, ‘handsome’ and ‘love’.

Inspectors said that the terms “could be regarded as demeaning and patronising” and highlighted other failings marking the home as ‘requiring improvement’ in a recent inspection.

Staff reacted to the ticking off saying that the residents like the informal terms. Chief executive of Skills 4 Living Centre, Stephanie Kirkman Meikle, said: “I am confident that staff comply with the CQC guidelines and that inspectors can see recorded in people’s care plans, how they like to be referred to. The issue is not as starkly black and white as it has been portrayed.

“We talk to every person, individually in a manner which meets their needs and suits their communication preferences. Certain people respond to certain pet names well and want us to use the terms of endearment appropriate to them. For example, one person likes staff who know him well to call him 'captain', but I wouldn't use this term. As a person who knows the gentleman from our adult education centre, I would call him by his christian name.”

She added: “I’d rather have scrutiny and a debate about the extent to which we are addressing people in a dignified and respectful manner, than see care homes being run with a low level of scrutiny which could leave vulnerable people at risk.”

As it happens, Brackenley which used to be run as a private residential home had just been taken over by the charity and social enterprise, Skills 4 Living Centre, when the CQC inspection took place. Ms Kirkman Meikle said: “When the inspectors return in 2016, they will be so impressed with the changes we have made. At the last inspection in March, when we were the new owners of the care home, they acknowledged that we had big plans for improvements and we can’t wait to show them what we are doing.

“I think the bigger story here is one about how the charity sector is stepping in to take on the running of residential care facilities for its beneficiaries, at a time when the private sector is getting cold feet because of rising wage costs, changing legislation and improved scrutiny.

“We are a small charity and every penny we raise makes a difference to someone with a learning disability, but it is hard to find benefactors for this beneficiary group.”

So far, the charity has obtained grant funding to build a garden retreat-cum-quiet chill zone for Brackenley residents and it has also invested more than £10,000 into a state-of the art wetroom with fibre optic lights, underfloor heating and a Japanese-style hygiene station.

To have your say on this controversial issue go to: www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/48/do-you-think-care