CQC Publish Information On The Use Of Hidden Cameras In Health And Social Care Settings

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will tomorrow (Thursday 12 February 2015) publish information for families, carers and those who use health and adult social care services to help people make appropriate decisions on the use of hidden cameras, or any type of recording equipment, to monitor someone’s care.

Alzheimer’s Society comment:

Gavin Terry, Policy Manager at Alzheimer’s Society said:

‘All too frequently we hear from concerned families whose loved ones have experienced poor care, leading them to consider installing hidden cameras to capture evidence. This is a complex matter as people with dementia may struggle to, or be unable to, communicate instances of abuse or neglect leaving them in a very vulnerable position.

‘Choosing to use a hidden camera is a decision not to be taken lightly and should only be a last resort. If the person with dementia is unable to consent, any surveillance must be made with their best interests at heart, and be carried out in the least restrictive way possible as it is could compromise their privacy, dignity and basic human rights.

‘It is a scandal that we live in a world where families are put in this awful predicament. It is essential that care services provide high quality training to all staff and are regularly monitored and inspected to ensure instances of poor care are stamped out.’