Reshaping the narrative around care homes and the nursing staff who work there

For as long as I can remember, the perception of care homes and the people who work there has been negative, especially in the press. There are exceptions, of course. But we’ve all heard the horror stories about people being neglected or mistreated in care homes, as well as justified fears about nursing shortages, which are apparent in all settings.

The news headings during COVID-19 were often grim and distressing. Care homes were a focal point for much of this news, which may only have worsened people’s long-held opinions. These opinions will not help the future of care homes, which are facing the challenge of caring for an ageing population with multiple co-morbidities.

I’m passionate about excellence in care, continuous improvement and understanding the role that the system and processes play when things go wrong. I’m not quick to judge, and when someone makes a negative statement about care, I want the full details. I want to understand. Is the statement accurate, partially accurate or has it grown arms and legs as it has been passed on?

I’ve had a lengthy career working in both independent health and social care (IHSC) and the NHS. I’ve been an educator in both settings and I have a passion for clinical governance and quality improvement. I’ve urged both clinical and non-clinical staff to not only read about but learn from the failings in care. For example, the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation scandal and subsequent Francis Inquiry and other cases including the NHS Morcombe bay care home scandal and the NHS Vale of Leven scandal in Scotland. I met family members of those who died in the Vale of Leven scandal and listened to their experiences.

I’ve been involved in investigating adverse events, managing complaints, and leading quality improvement initiatives in both the NHS and IHSC. I’ve faced both grieving and angry family members looking for answers and asking, why?

From a personal perspective, I’ve suffered from a chronic condition since the age of twelve, which is complex and often mismanaged and misunderstood. This mismanagement has led to both errors and near misses when I’ve received NHS care.

I’ve also worked as a consultant in IHSC supporting organisations to make improvements in care, and I’ve witnessed poor practice throughout Scotland and England. I’ve seen abuse, harm and neglect first hand. And I’ve cried.

But I still have hope.

Over the years and within my current role, I’ve also spoken to exceptional nursing staff working in care homes who are amazing and inspiring examples of the great work care homes do.

Yes, of course things go wrong in care homes (as they do in all industry sectors), but the important thing is that we celebrate the success stories as loudly as we focus on evaluating and rectifying the mistakes of the past. Only then can we build a brighter future for nursing.

We all play a part in reshaping the narrative. If we only focus on the negative accounts of care homes, nothing will change. The skills and expertise of nursing staff working within care homes need to be acknowledged. The excellent job care home nursing teams provide for people with dementia, growing frailty and the growing level of complex care needs of an ageing population deserves recognition, and to be celebrated.

As we get ready for this year’s Care Home Open Week (24 to 30 June), let’s seize this opportunity to reshape the narrative.