NEWS RELEASE FROM THE
REGISTERED NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION
Issued 24th February 2005
RNHA TO SPEARHEAD ANTI-ABUSE STRATEGY
A strategy to further strengthen the ability of nursing homes to prevent and deal swiftly and effectively with abuse of older people was unveiled today (24th February) by the Registered Nursing Home Association, which has over 1,200 members across the UK.
Reiterating its staunch commitment to stamping out abuse of older people wherever it occurs, the RNHA said it was resolved to work with its own member nursing homes and other organisations to ensure the maximum possible protection for older people.
Over the next twelve months, the RNHA intends to spearhead a major campaign to raise awareness among nursing home managers, staff, patients and relatives of the early warning signs of abuse.
Training videos, seminars, posters and other forms of communication will be used in a concerted effort to get key messages across.
The RNHA will explore with academic institutions within the UK the potential for future research projects on the incidence of elder abuse and its root causes, both in the wider community and within residential care settings.
The association is also planning to organise a conference for representatives from a range of organisations to achieve a consensus on future guidelines for all who look after older people, whether in care homes, hospitals, day centres or within the family.
Commented RNHA chief executive officer, Frank Ursell: “For many years, our organisation has campaigned within the nursing home sector to achieve the highest possible standards and to minimise the risk of harm. Whilst it is good that the topic has recently begun to be the subject of more widespread debate and discussion, this higher profile has often resulted in sensationalised, wildly inaccurate representation based on the sketchiest of evidence. Our new strategy is designed to get behind the hype and to focus on practical measures that will address the abuse of older people in all its forms.”
The RNHA says that, in principle, it is supporting the efforts of Comic Relief and Red Nose Day to raise money during 2005 that will be used, among other things, to tackle the abuse of older people.
“We welcome the genuine attempt of a major fund-raising body in the UK to promote greater public awareness on this issue,” said Mr Ursell. “We would therefore encourage people to contribute money to this cause. However, we hope that the coverage obtained by Comic Relief and its supporters will accurately portray this complex issue and not fall into the stereotyping formula of other recent campaigns.”
END
For further information and comment please contact:
Frank Ursell, Chief Executive Officer, RNHA
Tel: 07785 227000 (mobile), 0121-454 2511 (office)
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