WHOSE CARE IS IT ANYWAY?

So you need care or support and want a service supplied at home? You even accept that, since services rarely come cheap, that you’ll probably pay handsomely for the privilege. Now question the power you have as a care service.

· How often do you think of yourself as a consumer when buying care/support?

· How much does the fact you need care strengthen or weaken your position as a consumer?

· How demanding do you feel you can be regarding the quality of service bought?

· How confident do you feel sharing your views with managers of services regarding how it should be run?

There are many reasons why it happens – and there’s not the space to debate them here – but people buying care and support rarely feel that they can be demanding consumers. This is despite the fact that the annual cost of some services (such as live-in care) can amount to as much as two and a half times the cost of an average family car.

Surrey-based DomCare UK – upon successful registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection – will be offering services to physically disabled people, ranging from support for key events (such as holidays) through to full-time, live-in care services.

DomCare co-founders Tom Avenell and Dan Beadle are an energetic and enthusiastic duo who want, where possible, consumers to influence key elements of the new service.

They are soliciting views on a range of issues, including:

· How often, if given the choice, would consumers like to be contacted or visited by the nursing team?

· How would consumers like to be consulted in relation to changes within the business?

· To what degree do their future customers wish to be involved in key decision making about issues such as where to advertise for workers?

· How would consumers prefer to communicate with the organisation? For example, by phone, text, email, or Skype?

· What does value for money really mean to consumers?

There may of course be some suggestions that will conflict with DomCare’s obligations in law or in relation to current regulations, but once a lively debate is happening then issues can be addressed head on and no doubt everyone will have some fun along the way!

DomCare not only want to carve out a new and exciting company that will give the consumer something more reflective of a service they want to receive, they also want to give existing providers something to think about. And pushing up the competition in a truly consumer driven way can only be a good thing – right?

MORE: In the first instance, email clare@ginare.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it explaining what would make your ideal care/support service. Initial suggestions will be collated and posted on DomCares Website www.domcareuk.co.uk by 29th June 2009 when the live forum debate begins.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clare Kirkman is a management consultant in the Health & Social Care sector and co-founder of a large domiciliary live-in care organisation. She is also the author of How to Get Good Care Services, a consumer guide giving practical tips and advice on how to better understand the consumers rights and the obligations of providers.