Volunteer group set up to monitor care homes in Derby

A group of volunteers is set to start inspecting Derby’s 38 care homes from autumn 2009. The new initiative has been set up by Derby Links, an independent group that represents patients. Its team of volunteer inspectors has been officially authorised to enter care homes and submit reports on standards to Derby City Council and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The reports will also be made available to the general public. The inspectors, all of whom have received training and Criminal Records Bureau checks, will give advance notice to private and local authority home owners that they will be making a two week inspection. The homes are legally obliged to allow the inspectors access but the inspectors cannot enforce any changes that they feel should be made. However, it is hoped that standards will rise anyway because the care homes are aware that the inspections are taking place – and any major problems will be reported to the Council and the CQC straightaway. The new scheme has been established in response to a survey that was carried out by Derby Links and the City Council, the results of which showed that older people would feel more comfortable about entering a care home if they were recommended to it by someone they trusted. You can find out more about Derby Links and the care home inspection scheme at the Links website, www.derbylink.org.uk.