Poor standards of care for the infirm and dependent have been noticed and reported in the media for decades. More recently , the Shipman case and the mid-Staffordshire scandal have highlighted this on-going problem. Ministers after ministers, leaders of communities and satutory bodies have raised it with constant assurances of 'doing something about this'. The current Secy of State for Health Mr Hunt has , as usual, joined the bandwagon, promising a 'definitive action' against those who are proven to 'perpetrate' such 'offence'. <p>
But why should such 'negligence' and 'callousness' happen in the first instance? Is it because wrong kinds of individuals are chosen to do the job or people 'change' under the constant ongoing pressure of 'caring' !! The possibility of the latter situation has been considered for a long time and here in Bolton we always had a system of 'relief' for the care-givers : for hoildays , for a 'break', for other physical and social difficulties. And the promise of 'regular' relief encouraged many to continue looking after their dependent relatives. Well, in the past , health care used to be largely 'managed and planned' by those who knew something about it -- there used to be an element of compassion ! Today it is run by 'suited and booted' managers in their 30s without any experience or first hand understanding of the people involved. In addition, often individuals with very little knowledge and 'feelings' are appointed to look after the vulnerable and the infirm in hospitals and care homes - and often the job is done only for 'money' not as a 'vocation' ! and we see the results!
My other question is - should punitive actions begin to be taken against those who are ultimately managerially responsible and recieve a huge salary with 'benfits' and 'accolades'. After all they are the ones who 'carry the can'
Yet we never see them pay any price - no punishment , no suspension , no withdrawal of benefits and golden handshakes!! It's about time more visible hard-hitting actions are taken against some of these 'bosses'!!!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article