Member

It is very difficult to recruit and keep staff in care homes. Part of the reason, of course, is that the wages are very low in many cases, and it is difficult and demanding work. Many care homes do wonderful work, but there are undoubtedly those which are understaffed and struggle to satisfy CQC requirements. The funding of care is an ongoing risk factor for abuse, and experience overseas has shown that people can be coerced, whether directly or indirectly, into a decision that they should die because of financial issues. It is essential that every possible control be included in the Bill to avoid the problem of what we might call arranging death by proxy: coercing someone into suicide to ensure they are no longer using up resources a family wish to inherit, for example. A change in the law may also erode the trust placed in medical professionals by our residents, which is what care homes have said. The Orders of St John Care Trust said: