Transcript of the Home Care Open Forum 20th August 2019

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen undertook an Open Care Forum on 20 August 2019, as home care was a local priority.  This was the first of a series of four forums that they facilitated, inviting service users, family carers, service providers, and commissioners to attend and talk about the issues raised.  The findings would be given to commissioners to inform and challenge where necessary service improvement and quality.

The issues discussed at this forum included concerns about the limited time that carers have to spend with clients and the impact when they are late, the need for better communication from the care company when carers are late; concerns about the lack of effectiveness of care provided, how to get a social care assessment; high turnover amongst care staff, the role of technology, integrated care and privatisation of care.