CQC investigates 64 care homes over visit bans and denies failing to act

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has investigated 64 care homes over concerns about family visit bans and denies failing to act, having already taken action against 37 incidences of blanket ban visits.

Of the 1,282 care home inspections by the CQC carried out since 8 March, the care regulator took action in response to concerns against five per cent.

The CQC recently came under fire from MPs sitting on the Joint Committee on Human Rights, who concluded the the regulator made ‘unconvincing’ assurances about visits. The Committee told the CQC to ‘get a grip’ and collect data on care home visits.

CQC chief: 'We have taken decisive action'

Kate Terroni, the CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care has hit back at critics and said: “We have taken decisive action throughout the pandemic to help keep people safe in care settings including undertaking over 7000 inspections, and making absolutely clear to providers that blanket approaches to visiting are unacceptable and may trigger an inspection.

"We have been clear throughout the pandemic that the individual must be at the centre of decisions around visiting.

“We continue to seek assurances from care home providers about how they are supporting visiting to happen and we are verifying this information when we go out and inspect.

“We have a mandatory question on each of our care home inspections which looks at how visiting is being supported to happen in a safe way and since 8th March we’ve undertaken 1282 inspections. We have found that 95% were enabling visiting to happen, and action was taken with those 5% of providers where we had outstanding concerns.

“Concerns have been raised with us about 37 potential blanket bans and we have taken action in every case, including following up with providers, inspecting, raising safeguarding alerts where appropriate and following up with local authorities."

'Action will be taken if we find providers failing in their responsibilities'

The Joint Committee on Human Rights, which recently published its report ‘Care homes: Visiting restrictions during the covid-19 pandemic’ has said visits from loved ones must be ‘underpinned’ by law.

Kate Terroni said: “Care homes are people’s homes and no-one should live in fear of being penalised for raising concerns. Sadly, we’re aware that this is not always the case. It is not acceptable for people to be treated unfairly if they raise concerns and I am clear that appropriate action will be taken if we find providers failing in their responsibilities.

A spokesman for the CQC told carehome.co.uk the regulator had already been collecting data on care home visits and would be issuing a response to the Committee's findings in May.

The CQC leader said: "We will continue to take action and are grateful to all those who continue to share their concerns with us.

“We already review how providers handle complaints when looking at how responsive and ‘well led’ a care home is, as well as checking with residents and relatives whether they know how to raise concerns and if they feel listened to.”

The care regulator also said it had launched its ‘Because We All Care campaign’ with Health Watch England for care home residents and their relatives “by encouraging people to share feedback on individual experience”.