CQC issues information for families on the use of hidden surveillance equipment to monitor care

Today the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published new guidelines for families and carers on the use of hidden cameras and recording equipment to monitor the care that someone is receiving.

The information by the CQC advises families of the implications involved with installing hidden cameras and recording equipment in a care setting and the importance of seeking consent and approval from the person whose care is in question.

The report also draws attention to the implications that surveillance can have on the privacy of other service users, visiting professionals, members of staff and families and stresses that people receiving care have the same rights as anyone else.

Speaking about the information published today, chief inspector of adult social care at the CQC, Andrea Sutcliffe said: “We all want people using health and social care services to receive safe, effective, high quality and compassionate care. It is what everyone has a right to expect.

“Sadly, we know that does not always happen and the anxiety and distress this causes people, either for themselves or a loved one, is simply awful. For some, cameras or other forms of surveillance, whether openly used by services or hidden by families, are the answer. Others feel this is an invasion of people’s privacy and dignity. Many don't know what to do if they are concerned.

“For more than a year we have been talking to people who use services, their families and carers as well as providers about this hugely controversial subject. They told us that information from the regulator would be helpful.

“We published information for providers in December, setting out the responsible steps they need to take into account when considering or already using open or hidden surveillance.”

Opinions on surveillance was divided

Whilst the CQC recognised that opinions on the use of surveillance in care homes was divided, the information has been published as there was demand from people already using forms of recording equipment to monitor care.

In the document the CQC expresses that although it has issued the guidance, concerns about bad care should always be reported to themselves, the local authority or the police, if a crime has been committed.

Ms Sutcliffe continued: “Today’s information for the public explains what people can do if they are worried about someone’s care and the things they need to think about if they are considering using any form of recording equipment.

“I hope that this information helps the public to make the right decisions for them. But what I want more than anything is for services to always provide care that meets the standards we all expect so that the public can have confidence.

“CQC will continue to hold providers to account and take action when necessary to make sure that happens.”

’Surveillance is only one option’

Beth Britton campaigns and blogs about her experiences as a former carer for her father who had vascular dementia, she said: “As someone whose father experienced a six-month period of poor care in a care home that led directly to his death, I look back on that time now and wonder if I could have done more to halt what was happening by using a method of surveillance. Many families face very difficult decisions and feel utterly bereft when they know of, or suspect, poor care but feel they cannot prove it.

“Surveillance is clearly only one option, and certainly won’t be a route that every family wants to take, but given that different methods of surveillance have received some high-profile coverage in the media, information on this difficult topic is important, not least because it also sets out clear advice for families on who they can contact when they are worried about poor care.”

Policy manager at Alzheimer’s Society, Gavin Terry said: “All too frequently we hear from concerned families whose loved ones have experienced poor care, leading them to consider installing hidden cameras to capture evidence. This is a complex matter as people with dementia may struggle to, or be unable to, communicate instances of abuse or neglect leaving them in a very vulnerable position.

“Choosing to use a hidden camera is a decision not to be taken lightly and should only be a last resort. If the person with dementia is unable to consent, any surveillance must be made with their best interests at heart, and be carried out in the least restrictive way possible as it is could compromise their privacy, dignity and basic human rights.

“It is a scandal that we live in a world where families are put in this awful predicament. It is essential that care services provide high quality training to all staff and are regularly monitored and inspected to ensure instances of poor care are stamped out.”

’A care home is a resident’s home’

In addition to issuing information on how surveillance equipment can be used to monitor care, the document highlights potential legal implications involved with secret filming, identifying that some care homes may have rules against recording equipment as part of their contract of service.

Davina Ludlow, director of leading care home directory, carehome.co.uk, said: “Whilst we welcome any action that helps protect residents, it is vital that dignity and privacy is also respected. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that a care home is not just a care home, it is a resident’s home.

“Covert surveillance needs to be used wisely, as it can easily impact on residents' freedom, and it may also have an effect on the motivation of staff.

“In conjunction with the CQC’s guidance, we also need to work harder to train, support and inspire the next generation of care workers, rather than relying on extreme measures like this.”

Care and support minister Norman Lamb said: "Cameras have helped to expose terrible cruelty and neglectful care and I welcome this new advice. Decisions about using surveillance are extremely difficult, there is always a balance to be struck between protecting people and respecting their right to privacy – but this information will help families to the make the right choice for them.

"We are committed to preventing poor care from happening in the first place and have introduced tougher standards for inspecting care services as well as measures to shut down those that aren't up to scratch.”

Read the CQC's advice here here: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20150212_public_surveillance_leaflet_final.pdf