12 Healthcare Business

This month, the CQCannounced it was time tohave a conversation on

whether hidden cameras and“secret shoppers” should beconsidered as a means ofmonitoring care homes andcare agencies.Outlining these options as part

of her ‘A fresh start’ report(analysed in more detail elsewherein this edition by our ManagingDirector Kevin Craig), AndreaSutcliffe, the newly appointedChief Inspector of Adult SocialCare, proposed that thesemethods might be used as ameans of monitoring carestandards. Sutcliffe referencedtelevision documentaries whichuse hidden cameras in bags orclothing to catch wrongdoers.She said “... balancing the ideathat you’ve got a camera whichmay well be monitoring andchecking that people are doingthe job properly but actually atthe same time is potentiallyexposing vulnerable old people orindeed younger people withdisabilities … is tricky. So we’vegot to have that conversationabout what is right and properand appropriate and what wouldbe the safeguards if people weregoing to take it forward.”

Sutcliffe also suggested using“secret shoppers” – members ofthe public who would use theservice and report back to thecare watchdog on theirexperiences. These “secretshoppers” could include carehome residents and their relatives.

Whilst hidden cameras may inthe future have a designated roleto play in the monitoring of careprovision, legal experts havenoted that the use of suchtechnology must be balancedagainst organisations’ obligationsunder “applicable data protectionlaws”. Others have suggestedthat hidden cameras may wellbreach Human Rights legislation.If used at all, hidden cameraswould need to be shown to beproportionate to the endattempting to be achieved and afull privacy impact assessmentcarried out before these measuresare implemented.

Others have argued that a carehome is just that – a vulnerableperson’s home – and therefore,there is a need to consider the

mental wellbeing of those beingsubjected to potential invasions ofprivacy. A resident living withdementia may not be in a positionto decide whether or not theywould want to be filmed.

Perhaps the idea that in orderto promote and sustain ethicalpractice we need to introducemore surveillance and spot-checking is ultimately misguided.The end of the horrendousviolations showcased in a series ofhigh profile exposés have beenattributed to secret filming. But,perhaps, what ought to be takenfrom this is not the success ofcovert filming, but rather thefailure of other processes toprotect service users.

There are also many practicalquestions to be answered. Whowould be responsible for payingfor and installing the cameras, formaintaining them and formonitoring the recordings? Giventhat there are just short of 18,000residential and nursing homes inthe country, the logistical andfinancial issues involved areenormous.

Many commentators havequestioned this perceived focuson creating a surveillance culture,arguing that attention should begiven to promoting excellence incare provision and in training newcarers. Davina Ludlow, director ofcarehome.co.uk, a leading guideto care homes, expressed concernover Ms Sutcliffe’s proposals. Shesaid: “We need to train, supportand inspire the next generation ofcarers; not create a Big Brotherculture where people are afraid todo this vital job.”

The coming conversationabout hidden cameras will nodoubt be a heated one. There aremany who will argue that covertfilming risks violating the dignityof service users and demoralisingthose who care for them. A muchmore effective approach may beto learn from practitioners andservices that provide exemplarycare and aim to roll out theeducation and support systemsthat are required to make thishappen across the board. Notjust because people feel they arebeing watched.

Zara Rubin is an AccountExecutive at PLMR, the leadingpublic affairs and public relationsconsultancy for the health & socialcare sector.

Hidden cameras in care – aninvasion of privacy or anecessary precaution? Kingsfield care home in Ashton-

under-Lyne has become the firstMeridian Healthcare home to

achieve HARMONY accreditation. The HARMONY dementia care

programme was developed in 2012 byMeridian to improve the quality of lifeof residents with dementia relatedconditions, including those withadvanced dementia.

HARMONY was piloted atKingsfield in 2012 and won theinterest and respect of local healthcarecommissioners and the sector as awhole. Following the publication of thepilot findings, the programme is to berolled out to other homes within thegroup during 2013/14.

“HARMONY helps our care homesto work towards an agreed set ofoutcomes for our residents”commented Sharon Wood, Meridian’sQA and dementia lead. She continued,“Homes seeking accreditation mustdemonstrate that the positive changesmade have helped people in their careeat better, retain more independence,sleep better and if possible requirefewer anti-psychotic mediations. Aspart of our accreditation, we need tosee positive interactions taking place

between residents and their carers.”Janet Pearson from Kingsfield

accepted the accreditation plaque onbehalf of her team at Kingsfield at arecent event for all Meridian managers.[Pictured, L-R, Janet Pearson andSharon Wood]

The programme has generatedinterest from around the world, withthe most far flung request forinformation coming from Australia.

For more information aboutHARMONY visit:www.meridiancare.co.uk/harmony

MeridianannouncefirstHARMONYaccrediteddementiacare home