Vulnerable must be protected (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Vulnerable must be protected

8:39am Wednesday 20th May 2009 in

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It has been revealed that a spot check on Weaver Court care home highlighted a number of serious problems.

This is the home for adults with learning disabilities at the centre of a probe into standards of care after the deaths of three residents last year.

It is not the time to discuss those specific cases, but it is now clear that something was badly wrong with this establishment, and that is cause enough for concern.

For people who are looked after by the residential care sector are, by definition, vulnerable.

Whether adults with learning difficulties or the elderly and infirm, they often can’t or won’t speak up if things are not as they should be.

Their lives often take place behind closed doors, away from the gaze of the public, which also means any neglect can go unnoticed.

That is why it is vital that homes are well-run and well-monitored.

So, although it is heartening that staff were so concerned that they apparently flagged-up these issues themselves, surely there should have been systems in place to pick up these problems?

Changes have already been made after the snap inspection in March, and a full inspection has since taken place.

We await its findings with interest and hope to see some explanations alongside further improvements.