The Care Quality Commission’s reaction to the Panorama programme on home care

9 April 2009

Commenting on the programme to be broadcast today (9 April) by the BBC's Panorama team, Cynthia Bower, Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission, said:

The treatment that appears to have been received by the people who are featured in the Panorama programme is very disturbing and of great concern to the Care Quality Commission as the new regulator of adult social care services.

In general, home-care agencies have steadily improved their standards in recent years. But cases of bad practice and, in some cases, sheer neglect do occur and these must be rigorously addressed through our enforcement process.

We will not hesitate to use our statutory powers to take action against any companies that fail to provide acceptable levels of care.

We are aware there have been problems with the standards of care provided by Care UK and Carewatch in certain areas. Our predecessor organisation, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, had been working to drive up the standards of those agencies. We will continue that work.

Any evidence shown in the Panorama programme that we were not aware of will be followed up as a matter of urgency. Where necessary, we will use our statutory powers to take action to protect the welfare of people who use those services. Ultimately we can, and will, close down any care providers that fail to make improvements required of them.

Ends

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Notes to editors