You're right to focus on care homes (From The Bolton News)

You're right to focus on care homes

CONGRATULATIONS to the BEN for giving prominence to the alleged incidents in Bolton care homes. With so many of our citizens now in respite care, it is only right that attention is focused on their well-being - given that we pay for this service

Less reassuring is the complacent remarks of Ms Lightup, who tells us that the Social Services have investigated four such complaints.

The fact is that none of these cases was the result of Bolton Social Services inspections. In two cases it was relatives going to the police, in the third it was a national paper that highlighted the incident, and in the fourth it was the Coroner's remarks.

In no way can Ms Lightup's smugness be justified.

I understood that all homes were inspected, so why have these incidents not been noted? There is no lack of finance (Bolton's budget for Social Services is only 15pc less than Manchester's), there is no lack of resources (Bolton's staffing in the department is almost the same as Wigan and Rochdale combined) but there may well be lack of commitment.

Perhaps our elected representatives could ensure that placements are better monitored, perhaps the BARCH organisation could regulate their members better (three of the Homes concerned are members of BARCH).

But, most of all, let us hope that the BEN will continue to draw attention to these few, but worrying, incidents. I expect little from the Social Services departments, but have expectations from the Press.

Mary Ashton,

Greenfold Avenue, Farnworth CONGRATULATIONS to the BEN for giving prominence to the alleged incidents in Bolton care homes. With so many of our citizens now in respite care, it is only right that attention is focused on their well being - given that we pay for this service

Less reassuring is the complacent remarks of Ms Lightup, who tells us that the Social Services have investigated four such complaints.

The fact is that none of these cases were the result of Bolton Social Services inspections. In two cases it was relatives going to the police, in the third it was a national paper that highlighted the incident, and in the fourth it was the Coroner's remarks.

In no way can Ms Lightup's smugness be justified.

I understood that all homes were inspected, so why have these incidents not been noted? There is no lack of finance (Bolton's budget for Social Services is only 15pc less than Manchester's), there is no lack of resources (Bolton's staffing in the department is almost the same as Wigan and Rochdale combined) but there may well be lack of commitment.

Perhaps our elected representatives could ensure that placements are better monitored, perhaps the BARCH organisation could regulate their members better (three of the Homes concerned are members of BARCH).

But, most of all, let us hope that the BEN will continue to draw attention to these few, but worrying, incidents. I expect little from the Social Services departments, but have expectations from the Press.

Mary Ashton,

Greenfold Avenue, Farnworth

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