Protection for consumers as well as for residents

The Department of Health and Social Care has published the Government response to the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) report on the Care Homes Market Study, which makes an interesting read. The study was undertaken to review how well the market works and whether people are being treated fairly. 

In November 2017, the Government announced plans to produce a green paper (expected by the summer of 2018), which will include proposals for improving care and support for older people and how to tackle the challenge of an ageing population. The green paper is likely to include details of issues identified by the CMA report. 

A key point highlighted is consumer protection; that is to ensure that consumers are better protected when choosing a care home and when they are residents of a care home. Recommendations relating to consumer protection are listed in the box overleaf. As well as what is listed, it is also recommended that a working group is established to develop and agree a plan for substantially improving the provision of supported decision-making services.