Domiciliary Home Care Support

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Wednesday 25th April 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

I have huge respect for the noble Lord and his expertise in this area. I take this issue very seriously, which is why I used the opportunity in answering the noble Baroness to provide the reassurance that is in law. Local authorities need to step in to provide continuity of care with notice from the CQC, which now has a new responsibility to monitor the financial sustainability of providers and to make sure that that care is provided, whether it is delivered in-house or through contracts with other providers. That reassurance did not exist before it was introduced in the 2014 Act. It ought to provide a degree of reassurance among vulnerable people, who I accept will be anxious. That responsibility is in law.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Con)]

The Minister has said that this is a matter of law. There has been a court judgment that fees should be paid to carers for time spent going between clients, which can be nearly half of their day. They may have one hour to spend with many clients. Is he aware that providers of domiciliary care—run as agencies and used by most local authorities —are not honouring that legal decision that this should be paid as part of their employment?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

My noble friend is right to bring up that issue. They should of course be paid. If she has any specific examples to share with me, I shall be glad to investigate.