Thousands of disabled and elderly people are still facing 15-minute care visits, despite official guidance advising against them.
More than 18 councils are still using 15-minute, ‘flying’ visits for personal care, a disability charity has found, even though this goes against advice contained within the Care Act.
Leonard Cheshire Disability sent Freedom of Information requests to all local authorities responsible for adult social care and found 64 out of 105 councils commissioning 15-minute care visits do not use them to provide personal care.
18 councils are, however, still using these short visits to carry out essential tasks such as washing, dressing and eating, which is contrary to statutory guidance stressing ‘short home-care visits of 15-minutes or less are not appropriate for people who need support with intimate care needs.’
Leonard Cheshire Disability chief executive Clare Pelham said: ‘We are concerned that many councils are still commissioning flying care visits — often 15 minutes or even less — to deliver essential personal care such as washing, dressing and eating.
‘These rushed visits are simply not long enough to provide dignified support to disabled and older people, leaving many facing impossible choices such as using the toilet or having a cup of tea.’
‘We urge councils to follow government guidance which clearly says that 15 minutes is never enough for personal care,’ Ms Pelham added.
The Government cracked down on rushed care visits after a report found two-thirds of councils were commissioning 15-minute care visits back in 2013.
