Those local authorities using the home care services organisations featured in the Panorama expose last night are clearly in breach of the Disability Discrimination Acts and should be prosecuted. The Disability Rights Commission would have done so. What action will the Equality and Human Right Commission be taking?
Just a confirmation of the search for a website host and my website ppeyes will be back on line. The functions are the same - as an independent monitor of how patient and public involvement in health is working with the addition of looking at how LINks will be set up (if they indeed are set up at all). This blog will be used for comments on current activities and developments closely allied to the website. As soon as the site is up and running I'll provide a link. Activities have extended further since ppeyes was taken off line (because it was criticising a government department - more later) in September 2005. I'm now active in service user campaigning and, being a disabled National Health Service User myself, in disability rights.
Comments
I have, intermittently, swung with the view that private health care was the way forward. That competition would improve the quality of care provided. All the time being acutely aware that when it comes to private care, it is those with the big bucks that get the big slice of the quality care cake and the poorer end of society are left with the crumbs.
Now, I am categorically against private care....cos when it comes to the public's money being sliced off for private sector care services, the end result is vulnerable people being treated like lumps of sshhhh you know what.
I am glad the programme was shown but I doubt it will make any difference. Nobody tends to give a stuff about how the vulnerable are treated until they become vulnerable themselves.
Cynical view maybe but I think it is a realistic one.