Legislative changes highlight importance of care homes insurance
Charities
4th December 2009
Changes are being made by the government to the current system of social care in Britain, something that highlights the importance of adequate insurance for care homes.
In the most recent Queen's Speech, new action to improve access to home care for the elderly was announced, which will provide such services free of charge to those most in need, a move that was welcomed by organisations representing the elderly. Part of the Personal Care at Home Bill, it is expected to assist over 400,000 people in the UK and help many to retain their independence.
However, some experts, such as Action on Elder Abuse policy development manager Daniel Blake, have warned increasing budgets for social care at home could place vulnerable people at risk and have called for greater regulation of the current system, with tighter rules similar to those in the residential sector. A public consultation called the Big Care Debate has been launched by the government to feed into a "radical reform of the care and support system".
Meanwhile, a study published by Saga in August this year indicated 68 per cent of people looking for long-term care for their parents selected it as the best option for them, with work commitments, lack of space or suitable accommodation and the burden of responsibility cited as additional reasons for such a move, with most rating their experience of choosing a care home as "positive". The organisation's chief executive Andrew Goodsell suggested "sometimes specialist care is needed and care homes are often best equipped to provide this".
"Juggling strict regulations, funding and occupancy rates is challenging for managers of care homes and having effective insurance in place can provide them with considerable peace of mind," Edgar Flaherty, director of charity and care at Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd, suggested.
"Having specific forms of cover in place is a requirement of the Care Quality Commission, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales. With legislation changing so rapidly, it is important that care homes work with an insurer who is aware of current regulations."
He also advised care homes to discuss their needs with a specialist insurance provider that has wide experience in the industry in order to ensure the policies they select meet their needs and they are not paying for any unnecessary cover. Future changes to the care homes sector in terms of investment in cutting-edge technologies will also impact upon insurance. A recent study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Centre for Usable Home Technology at the University of York predicted innovations such as talking walking frames, interactive coffee tables, exo-skeleton suits and robopets will assist elderly patients in future.
Giles has specialised in the UK care homes sector for more than 20 years and provides access to named contacts, who can provide advice, identify risks and highlight issues relating to the industry, something which is particularly important as regulations, employees' requirements and residents' needs alter.
