Parliament debates use of CCTV in care homes

The use of CCTV as a means of preventing care home abuse was debated in Parliament last week.

The debate was led by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve who has called for legislation to make CCTV compulsory in all care homes, The Express reported.

Mr Grieve said: “CCTV is sometimes seen as the spy, but that’s not the intention. It will provide a powerful tool, I think, for helping prevent abuse and improve standards.”

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The debate was divided on the need for compulsory adoption of CCTV, however, with Minister of State for Health and Social Care Caroline Dinenage, commenting that the decision should be left up to the individual care home provider.

Shadow Health and Social Care Minister Julie Cooper warned that CCTV could be seen as a “quick fix” and called for more social care funding.

Campaigner Jayne Connery said CCTV would “help safeguard those who are no longer able to safeguard themselves”.

Jayne told CHP: “It is without doubt a priority now for the Government to reflect on the debate and listen to public concerns about the vulnerability of their loved ones living in care homes.

“I now hope the Government has the political will to prepare for legislation that will in time making camera safety monitoring mandatory in all long term care facilities.”

A survey by CCTV provider Care Protect has found that 93% of people back the installation of CCTV in care homes.

Care Protect’s Business Development Director for the UK Ben Wilson said: “Care Protect has irrefutable proof that using surveillance and monitoring technologies in care home environments improves the quality of care provided and brings a level of transparency and reassurance for families and residents.

“After some three years of system use in a number of care settings, we can confirm that even in homes that have scored well in regulatory inspections, material issues have only been detected because of the presence of camera safety and professional monitoring.

“As to mandatory use across all UK care homes, that isn’t for us to determine. We do believe, however, that if an Act of Parliament required this and all providers complied with that legal requirement, a very significant reduction in abuse incidence would result. On average we noted a reduction in safeguarding referrals of some 24% in the first six months of system use.”