My Opposition colleague, Karl Turner MP, has introduced an Early Day Motion (EDM) regarding CCTV in care homes.

Karl’s EDM is asking the Government to allow care home residents to install CCTV cameras in their rooms, as long as they want them and are willing to pay for them.

I know that some care home residents and their families want this option in order to provide greater protection and peace of mind, and I can understand this position, as care home residents are vulnerable and reports of care home abuse have been increasing in recent years.  Indeed, the number of allegations of abuse reported to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) increased by 82% from 2014 to 2018.

I support Karl’s initiative and believe that care home residents should at least have the option of installing CCTV in their own rooms.

However, I do agree with Age UK, when they say that CCTV in care homes will not solve the issue of care home abuse.  We need to raise the quality of care in care homes across the board and ensure that all residents, their families, and staff are involved in how care homes are run, and are able to raise any concerns with the relevant authorities, confident that their feedback will be acted upon.

Fundamentally, care homes are residents’ homes and, as such, they have the right to feel safe, respected and dignified within them.