Sunday 11th December 2011. 

Doris on the box

Caroline Southgate, founder of Doris Jones Ltd, appeared on BBC1 and the BBC News channel this morning to offer her thoughts on the government's proposals for an online 'Good Care Guide'.

Paul Burstow, the minister responsible for the care of older people, is developing radical new ideas proposed by care users and their relatives for shaking up the system for identifying quality and mistreatment in care homes and care provided in people's own homes.

The proposals include a new 'good care guide' which will publish ratings for standards of care and dignity in care homes and from domiciliary care providers, on a fully searchable online platform.

In her interviews, Caroline explained that the plans should be welcomed as an additional source of useful information to potential buyers and users of care. She also stated that an online 'good care guide' would not replace existing resources offered by the Care Quality Commission and other bodies; rather that it will represent "another layer" of information and a further means of ensuring the safety of older people in care and the quality of service they receive.

Government plans are to be further communicated in a white paper due in spring 2012.