Commenting on research published today (Thursday) by disability charity Leonard Cheshire, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Rushed visits cause much distress to elderly and disabled people, and unnecessary stress to the care workers trying to look after them.
“Government imposed cuts have left cash-strapped councils often forced to commission care at bargain basement rates. As a result, employers are cramming care workers’ rotas with so many visits they rarely have time for a chat with the people they’re caring for. For the lonely – whose only contact with the outside world might be their care worker – hurried, excessively short visits can be devastating.
“Some care workers report being allocated just a single minute for a visit. This is an obscene way to treat the most vulnerable people in our communities. The government must get to grips with the growing care scandal now.”
UNISON media contacts:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk