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PRESS RELEASE
A legal expert has raised serious concerns over proposals to award hotel-style ratings to care homes for the elderly and disabled.
Sue Normanton, a specialist in elder law with solicitors B P Collins, claims that the measures, due to be introduced by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in April 2007, could lead to a much reduced choice of care home, especially for the less well off.
"Any move to improve standards in care home management has to be welcomed in principle," says Sue, an advisor to Government on the implementation of the forthcoming Mental Capacity Act. "My concern is that there will be increased pressure on smaller homes to upgrade their facilities. If they fail to achieve a good or excellent rating, such homes may be forced out of business, even though their standards of care may be very high.
"The result will be that those who struggle to fund residential care for themselves or a relative will have less choice, especially when regional factors are taken into account."
She adds: "Care home fees are typically based on the location, size and age of the premises and its facilities, in that order. Sadly, standards of care are not always reflected in the price and I believe these new star ratings may encourage that situation to continue."
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Samantha Howe
Marketing Department
samantha.howe@bpcollins.co.uk
