Advice

Nursing home negligence can have detrimental effects such as death, broken bones, malnutrition and dehydration. So what should you be looking for in terms of potential nursing home negligence?

These are some of the warning signs that should alert you to a possible case of abuse or neglect.

• Unexplained bruises and cuts
• Burns
• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Unwarranted restraints
• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; vaginal or anal bleeding; torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Staff refusing to allow visitors to see the resident or delays in being allowed to see the resident
• Staff not allowing the resident to see visitors alone.
• Resident being kept in an over-medicated state.
• Untreated medical condition
• Fear, agitation, hesitance
• Depression and withdrawal
• Unusual behaviour patterns
• Unwillingness to communicate
• Disorientation, confusion
• Unjustified isolation
• Rude, humiliating or derogatory comments by staff
• Complaints by other residents
• Sudden inexplicable weight loss
• Unsanitary environment
• Smells of urine/faeces
• Unkempt appearance
• Poor personal hygiene

Advice

There are guidelines and standards that nursing and care homes should be adhering to. There are National Minimum Standards for Nursing and Care Homes for older people and these can be found by visiting the Commission for Social Care Inspection website www.csci.org.uk. The Commission are the regulatory body that inspects the homes and licenses them.

If you have concerns about the treatment of a relative or friend who is residing in a nursing or care home, there are procedures and guidelines depending on the nature of your complaint or concern.

Initially, you can make a formal complaint directly to the nursing home – they should investigate your complaint and respond to you with their findings. You could, at this stage, copy your complaint to the Commission and ask them to investigate. You must bear in mind that the nursing home and the Commission will only investigate the concerns you have raised. When detailing your concerns it will assist you greatly if you detail all aspects of your concerns. The nursing home should be able to provide you with a copy of their complaints procedure.

If the resident is self funded you can also inform the relevant Social Services. If the resident is Social Services funded then you should make a complaint to them also, via their complaints procedure.

Also, you will be able to speak with the Adult Protection or Vulnerable Adult Coordinator at your local authority. They should investigate any issue concerning abuse of a vulnerable adult irrespective of whether they are in a nursing or care home or in their own home.

There are a number of dedicated services who assist with enquiries concerning the elderly. Other helpful links are www.elderabuse.co.uk, www.helptheaged.org.uk

Once the investigations have taken place and you have received responses and you are STILL concerned, then you can contact us to establish if there is anything we can do to assist you.

Contact us if you feel that a loved one has suffered as a result of abuse in a nursing home. All initial consultations are free