RSM june elder abuse: some implications for health professionals Jill Manthorpe King’s College London
RSM june Elder abuse, neglect and mistreatment and loss of dignity 1.Concern is unlikely to dissipate 2.Professional regulation – extensions 3.Legal developments 4.Review of No Secrets 5.Self-audit 6.Useful resources
RSM june Concerns abounding ‘Care home worker stole £20k from residents’ Caring Times, April ‘Conmen who earn a fortune by preying on the old’, Daily Telegraph, 29 October 2002 ‘Family of elderly woman who was robbed on her deathbed face red tape nightmare to see crime investigated’, Mail Online 26 June 2008 ‘Daughter’s pleas over mother’s care home death’, Mail Online, 14 July 2008 ‘Half a million ‘forgotten’ elderly victims of crime’, Mail Online, 7 November 2007 ‘Police probe six deaths of care home residents’, Daily Telegraph, 24 September 2008
RSM june The implications are Fear – huge under-reporting Anxious relatives Mistrust Staff shortages? ‘Managing’ with reduced quality of life
RSM june Professional regulation Lessons from POVA List (vetting and barring) Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 extending to Health Changes to social care through personalisation – registration of some but not all – fears about transferring of risk
RSM june The implications for health Employment and human resources work The importance of records Not stopping at checks Interface with professional regulation
RSM june Legal developments New offences under Mental Capacity Act 2005 of mistreatment and wilful neglect Role of IMCA and Mental Health Advocates Use of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions to refuse treatment DOLS - Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
RSM june The implications for health Finding sources of support, information and advice Personal and professional indemnity Constructing thresholds Providing, seeking & challenging experts Working with colleagues Casting the law as obstructive or empowering
RSM june Review of No Secrets Key questions around organisational relationships and funding What are the interfaces with NHS systems? NB Review of law and adult social care Development of agreed outcomes Ministerial view awaited
RSM june Self-audit I know where the policies are on elder abuse in my organisation I know who to contact if I have a query I know what to do if I have suspicions I know how to support staff who are uncertain, distressed, under pressure I know how to communicate with an older person who is fearful.
RSM june resources Review of No Secrets DH Action on Elder Abuse Ministry of Justice (MCA & Code of Practice) DH DOLS Code of Practice Home Office (SVG, hate crime, distraction burglary, victim support)