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 providing an excellent service to the elderly in their homes.

It now emerges that a care agency in Clitheroe has been receiving ‘hate emails’ since the screening of the programme.

Why? Because it happens to share the same name as one of the homecare companies investigated by Panorama.

The manager of the Clitheroe firm has told the local Advertiser and Times that she has been saddened by the vicious emails.

Her company quite rightly prides itself on the quality of care it delivers to many pensioners in the Ribble Valley.

The company was recently awarded a ‘three star – excellent’ rating by the Quality Care Commission, the highest that can be achieved.

So, good agencies providing the best possible homecare services to our elderly are suffering because of Panorama’s highly-emotive programme.

Panorama, of course, is not to blame for what is happening in Clitheroe. That’s probably down to an ignorant individual (or individuals) inflamed by the programme.

But this highlights the need for balance and fairness in producing an investigation of this kind.

The vast majority of businesses in homecare are doing a very good job – and deserve to be heard.

Paul Roberts

www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk

Roberts Consultants, specialists in developing homecare businesses