Can I Trust the CQC’s Care Home Ratings?

In light of the recent review by Dr Penny Dash highlighting major failings within the Care Quality Commission, many care seekers are asking, ‘Can I trust the CQC’s rating when I’m looking for a care home for my mum or dad?’

Debbie Harris of Autumna, has always said that the CQC rating should be used in conjunction with other factors when researching the best care options for your elderly loved one.

In this video she suggests that if care seekers are going to rely on the ratings they should be sure to check the date on the CQC report. The independent review highlighted some reports hadn’t been updated since 2015. A lot can change at a care home 9 months let alone 9 years.

Read more about this subject here: https://www.autumna.co.uk/blog/is-the...

On the Autumna website, you can easily see the dates of the reports, and download the latest one for each care home you’re interested in.

Just use this link: https://www.autumna.co.uk/ and look for area of the country or care provider you're interested in.

The review also found that about one in five providers has never been rated! So, what can a care seeker do in that situation?

Well, short of visiting the home and seeing it for yourself, one good way is to check out their Facebook page. You’ll instantly get a feel for what day-to-day life is like in the home.

Again, Autumna's easy-to-use care home listings can link you directly to the home’s Facebook page.

Then, of course, there’s the care home’s OpenScore rating.

OpenScore is still in its early stages, but effectively, it’s a data aggregator that automatically integrates multiple sources of the latest information about a care home and gives it a score out of ten.

This data includes things like food standards, infection control, and even live reviews from the digital reception systems in many care homes. So, it gives a more current and comprehensive picture of care quality in a home.

At the moment, you can only find OpenScore on the Autumna website, but the aim is to make it universally available across the whole social care sector.

Finally, Debbie advises that care seekers should do their research online, but then of course, book a visit.

"Go see the care home for yourself. Make your own judgement. Confirm the reality lives up to your expectations."

Autumna is a free service. We list every registered care provider in the country - not just the big groups - and our advice is independent and impartial because we don't take referral fees if you place a loved one in a home we have highlighted for you.

If you need help building a shortlist of care homes that will be the right fit for your mum or your dad, then follow this link: https://www.autumna.co.uk/free-shortl...

Alternatively, call the very helpful Autumna advice line team on 01892 349787. They’re always happy to talk.

#cqc #cqcreport #OpenScore #CareHomeReviews