Written Question · S2W-32392 · Session 2
What recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Care Commission anent confidential reports or complaints from employee…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Care Commission anent confidential reports or complaints from employees of residential care homes for elderly people, in both the private and public sectors, about inadequate care or neglect of residents of such homes and the advice given to the families of those residents in respect of a guarantee of anonymity when concerns need to be raised.
The answer
The investigation of complaints is an operational matter forthe Care Commission. The Care Commission published its current complaintsprocedure in September 2004 following the approval of Scottish Ministers.Details of the Complaints Procedure can be found on the Commission’s website atwww.carecommission.com.
The Scottish ParliamentsHealth Committee Care Inquiry Report, which was published on 13 June 2006, recommended that the results of enquiries into complaints which the CareCommission upholds, should be more widely publicised. The Executives responseto the report noted that the Independent Review of Regulation, Audit,Inspection and Complaints being conducted by Professor Lorne Crerar on behalf ofScottish ministers is considering, amongst other things, how public servicecomplaints are accessed. The review is expected to report in the summer.
In response to the Health Committees Report, the CareCommission undertook to consider how it could publicise complaintsinvestigations without compromising the anonymity of a complainant or breachingdata protection legislation. In January this year the commission launched anenhanced care service list on its website. This puts into the public domain awide range of information about each registered service, including summary dataon complaints and a record of enforcement notices.
The Scottish ParliamentsHealth Committee Care Inquiry Report, which was published on 13 June 2006, recommended that the results of enquiries into complaints which the CareCommission upholds, should be more widely publicised. The Executives responseto the report noted that the Independent Review of Regulation, Audit,Inspection and Complaints being conducted by Professor Lorne Crerar on behalf ofScottish ministers is considering, amongst other things, how public servicecomplaints are accessed. The review is expected to report in the summer.
In response to the Health Committees Report, the CareCommission undertook to consider how it could publicise complaintsinvestigations without compromising the anonymity of a complainant or breachingdata protection legislation. In January this year the commission launched anenhanced care service list on its website. This puts into the public domain awide range of information about each registered service, including summary dataon complaints and a record of enforcement notices.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-32392 by reference.