The reputation of the whole care sector is damaged by negative press reports on isolated cases where care home owners failed to maintain standards or invest in care training for their staff. Whilst it is important to expose homes where standards are not as they should be, individual cases are not a reflection on the whole of the sector.
However, the care sector is now fighting back against negative press images with National Care Home Open Day, an initiative which aims to showcase everything that is good about UK care homes. On June 21st, hundreds of care homes all over the country will be opening their doors to the public, inviting them to see what really goes on in a typical care home.
Many activities and exciting events are planned for National Care Home Open Day, which is supported by the CQC, NAPA and the Social Care Institute for Excellence. At Bupa’s Parkside House Nursing Home, managed by Lizzy Gondo, there will be musical entertainment and bingo. Ms Gondo said of the day:
“This initiative is a fantastic way for the local people to see how our residents live on a day to day basis, and see for themselves just how inspiring care home life is. We all work so hard to ensure that residents feel this is a home from home and that they live happily as individuals – hopefully people will see this through the activities at this event and we’d love it if people took part.”
