Hope that TV Doc Will Boost Care Campaign

A TV documentary highlighting the crisis in the care of older and vulnerable people must be the catalyst for improving the sector, a North Yorkshire care provider told an audience attending an event to mark the programme.

Mike Padgham, whose homes appeared in the two-part BBC documentary Inside the Care Crisis with Ed Balls said he wanted the programme to help bring about change.

Speaking after the event in Scarborough, Mr Padgham said: “The documentary was very much a pivotal moment in our campaign to get better social care and we will be continuing that fight in 2022.

“It exposed a care sector on its knees after Covid-19 and starved of the funding it needs to deliver care and to reward those amazing people who provide it.

“I hope we will look back and see the documentary as a key moment in our battle to get the care sector we deserve.”

Mr Padgham’s care company, Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, invited a film crew into its nursing and care homes as part of the documentary which was broadcast last month.

Saint Cecilia’s hosted an event to mark the documentary, which included excerpts and a question-and-answer session with presenter Ed Balls, the programme’s production team and members of Saint Cecilia’s staff who featured.

Mr Padgham added: “The evening was a great success, with lots of excellent feedback for the documentary and a wonderful question and answer session.

“The overriding message from the evening was that this cannot go on any longer and we have to improve the way we look after the most vulnerable in our society.

“I was struck by how passionate people are when it comes to the care of their loved ones – it is a shame that passion is not shared by those in power.”