Archive for April, 2009

A dose of Budget reality for homecare By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk Will homecare benefit from the 2009 Budget? The answer is yes…and no. Alistair Darling’s announcement of funding for 50,000 apprenticeships in the care sector appears to be a positive move. However, rising fuel costs could cripple many homecare providers. And there are fears that [...]

Hate email disgrace after Panorama homecare investigation By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk The ‘fall-out’ from the Panorama special on ‘Britain’s Homecare Scandal’ is taking its toll on well-run businesses that are the back-bone of our caring industry. After the programme was broadcast on April 10, I feared there would be a backlash against firms who are [...]

Here’s your chance Mr Chancellor to make social care a priority in 2009 Budget By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk   When Chancellor Alistair Darling rises in the Commons at 12.30pm on Wednesday April 22 to unveil the 2009 Budget, how many times will he mention social care? Once?  Twice, perhaps? Or is that too much to [...]

Home care agency improved mum’s life By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk   A leading Department of Health official has praised the home care industry – for improving the life of his elderly mother. The official told a recent conference in York how his mother had spoken to many professionals about plans for her care. But a [...]

Pilot projects pave the way to future healthcare needs By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk April 14, 2009   All eyes will soon be on the progress of 16 innovative projects aimed at delivering community health care to meet the needs of local populations. Sixteen primary trusts across England have been selected by the Department of Health [...]

The real scandal of Panorama’s home care investigation By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk Panorama’s special on ‘Britain’s Homecare Scandal’ (BBC1 April 10 2009) was hardly a shining example of investigative journalism. The undercover reporters took the easy route to producing a ‘shock-horror’ condemnation of the failings in home care. The biggest scandal is how Panorama failed [...]

Well done Panorama, on an excellent misrepresentation of homecare By Jennifer Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk   The Panorama special (‘Britain’s Homecare Scandal’, April 9 2009) said it was ‘going undercover’ to learn more about the state of homecare in Britain. As a nurse with over 20 years’ experience in the homecare field, I eagerly awaited the programme. [...]

Will home care get a fair deal from the CQC? By Paul Roberts www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk   Will the newly-launched Care Quality Commission have the resources and inspectors to effectively regulate health and adult social care? That’s the big question being asked in home care circles this week – and there are strong fears that home care [...]

2009 will be remembered as the year when most of us become aware of dementia – and the vast numbers who are and will be affected by it.

Home care under fire: why Panorama documentary could be damaging   By Paul Roberts Caringforyourbusiness.co.uk April 8 2009 Homecare – one of the few growth industries in recession-hit Britain – comes under the public spotlight tomorrow night. Millions will watch the BBC Panorama investigative documentary ‘Britain’s Homecare Scandal’, being screened at 9pm on BBC One. [...]