Dickson hopes new care home standards will lead to better services for residents

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has welcomed the publication of revised care home standards by the Department of Health. These new standards, first published in 2008, set the levels of quality and care that service providers must achieve, and what residents and families can expect from the sector.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I note that these revised standards of care have been published and I hope they will lead to much better levels of service for residents.

“I have been campaigning for better standards in our care homes after working with relatives and residents of Cherrytree Nursing Home and other care homes where allegations have been raised of abuse, mistreatment and poor standards of care. I recently met the Minister with a number of Cherrytree relatives and raised concerns about how the RQIA regulates care homes.

“While it is good that the Health Minister has sought to update these standards, the proof will be in whether they are adhered to and properly implemented. I continue to have serious concerns around the implementation of RQIA Reports and accountability in the structure of health and social care delivery.”

ENDS