Press Releases / News
mhl support - Care Quality Commission - The Super Regulator
It was during her tenure the head of The West Midlands Strategic Health Authority (SHA) that 'the biggest scandal to hit the NHS since labour came to power' occurred. At the Mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust during the three years to March 2008, at least 400 more patients died than would have been expected at an average hospital with a similar case mix – and blame has been laid at Ms Bowers' door for the SHA's failure to identify and rectify the hospital's performance. "It could be argued that much of the criticism that Ms Bowers has suffered has been misplaced", Mr. Schroder said, "but I think we can be certain that the criticism has stung her and that in her new role she will leave no stone unturned in her quest to raise standards in care homes and that can only mean swingeing changes in regulation and legislation, and owners of care homes would be well advised to monitor the situation closely as changes are mooted and introduced." mhl support's Head of Health and Safety Operations, Paul Cadman, whose department handles legislative compliance issues for more than 200 care home operators, contests that "many care homes are failing to comply with current legislation" and is worried that changes will put many more in danger of prosecution and censure if they fail to keep pace with developments. He highlighted his main areas of concerns : "it's vital that care home owners act immediately to ensure that they comply to-the-letter with Health and Safety legislation in three fundamental areas of management, these are fire risk assessments, infection control and staff training." "Failure to do so will leave both the managers and owners of the home exposed to fines, prosecutions and even custodial sentences; something made ever more likely following the introduction of the H&S Offences (2008) Act in January this year, he said. Ms Bowers appointment comes at time when the media spotlight is focusing on the care sector, reporting the concerns raised by charities on the issue of care of the elderly. For example, Michelle Mitchell, of Age Concern and Help the Aged, remarked recently that older people and their families had been 'horribly let down by health and care services.' Mr. Schroder concluded: "those involved in the business of care should be under no illusion whatsoever that their operations are going to be subject to closer scrutiny than ever before. However, by implementing mhl's bespoke Health & Safety and Employment Law Care Home Management systems, they can ensure that their home complies with the relevant requirements of CQC, leaving them to focus on the care and welfare of their patients."