Age UK response to CQC report

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said:

“Being kept safe from the risk of abuse of all kinds is the least that any older person and their family should expect when they are receiving care, so this report is both very welcome and a wake-up call to every care provider to do everything possible to protect them from being sexually abused.   

“Abuse in any form is completely unacceptable and it is deeply distressing that most of the sexual abuse reported in this report happened in a residential or nursing care home to women aged over 75.

"Sexual abuse must not be swept under the carpet and it is clear from this report that in some cases care providers are failing to keep some of our most frail and vulnerable older people safe. Care providers have a moral and professional duty of care and they must make sure all staff are recruited and trained to deliver safe, dignified and compassionate care at all times, and that they are properly managed on the job.”

“Raising the standard of care, and its safety, must be central to the process of refinancing and reforming social care that the Prime Minister has committed to and this report shows there is a lot that needs doing and that it cannot happen too soon.”