What effect will the implementation of the Care Standards Act have on long term care provision?
The Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA) reforms the regulatory system for care services in England and Wales. It created the National Care Standards Commission, an independent non-governmental public body to regulate social and healthcare services previously regulated by local councils and health authorities, and extends the scope of regulation to other services such as domiciliary care agencies.
The National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People, in accordance with Section 23 of the CSA, came into general effect in April 2002. It sets out in detail the minimum standards to be applied to all new-build and new-registered care homes and the dates by which they should be implemented by existing homes. It covers every aspect of the provision of care.
Obviously, such minimum standards are no less than one would expect and should mean the quality of care we can look forward to, irrespective of who is paying for it, will be assessed and delivered with compassion in quality surroundings. For instance, residents will no longer have to share a room unless they so choose.
There is, unfortunately, a downside. Raising standards costs money and the burden of this cost is falling on care home owners. Those who rely on local authority supported residents have, for some time, been voicing their concerns about under funding. While those in the private sector have, quite naturally, been assessing the likely return on any increased investment.
Care home beds have been closing at an unprecedented rate over the last few years and only the financially sound are surviving. Quality care will be available, but, I fear, at a price and one that will continue to rise sharply while State support will remain limited.
Brian Fisher
