Social Care News

Information given to care home residents 'improving' - OFT report

CLEARER information on fees and contracts is now being given to potential care home residents and their families, according to a new report by the Office of Fair Trading (report of May 6).

In its report, the OFT compared the quality of information being given now to would-be residents with that in 2005. It found that more care home users are now being given a contract with terms and conditions and that it was easier to get a detailed breakdown of fees.

The research, carried out by GHK Consulting, was based on interviews with care home residents, a survey of care homes, a mystery shopping exercise, and a survey of local authorities. 

It revealed:

• 94 per cent of care homes say they provide residents with a contract or statement of terms and conditions, compared with 82 per cent six years ago
• 90 per cent of mystery shopper callers were able to obtain information on fee levels, and 79 per cent of care homes surveyed now report that they provide detailed price lists to prospective residents 
• following an OFT recommendation to establish a 'one stop shop' for information, the First Stop Care Advice service was set up which, alongside the Care Information website and helpline in Scotland, has seen high rates of satisfaction.

Care Forum Wales' Mike Kemp, who contributed to the research, said: "We aim to promote best practice among our members who run care homes and care homes groups - and this includes providing clear information to would-be residents and their families. I am pleased to have been able to help contribute to this research and that the picture is improving across the country."

To read the full report: www.oft.gov.uk/news/carehome_information

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