Please visit the change.org petition at http://chng.it/qFDLBH7d8p
You can also read below my letter delivered to Herefordshire Council for the attention of local councillors and my draft, so far regarding CCTV.
letters07072019
Currently updating this Draft regarding CCTV in care homes (ver 1.1)
The use of surveillance in care homes is a complex and controversial subject and one that is not only about cameras, and while there are far more knowledgeable and expert people than me who could present a case for such, I hope to convince anyone reading this page that the use of CCTV in care homes could be beneficial and offer a form of protection to the elderly and vulnerable, and care staff alike.
By doing so, I hope others will support the petition.
Over the years, since I became an unpaid carer, and my vulnerable adoptive brother went in to care I have sadly witnessed what happened behind closed doors in a residential ‘care’ home, and how the provider (The Priory Group) with assistance from my local authority social care staff (Herefordshire Council) made attempts to conceal what occurred.
Separately, I once had to report a paid carer after finding my mother distressed in our home, and were it not for the CCTV system we put in place some years ago to safeguard my brother and mother before she became ill, I would not have known what had occurred.
Until experiencing what occurred with my relatives and myself, I was undecided on the issue of surveillance in care homes to prevent neglect and abuse, even reluctant to have a CCTV system on and in my home, and although I remain firmly against the mass monitoring and data collection of the public as they go about their daily lives, using systems similar to that currently used in countries like China, with millions of cameras watching everybody and using AI facial recognition to detect gender and sexuality, I have become an advocate for surveillance of the elderly and vulnerable who are unable to protect themselves or ask for help.
Currently, there is no legislation for CCTV systems in care homes. However, I firmly believe there will be in the years to come, and having such could provide some form of protection not only for the many vulnerable people in care, and offer reassurance to their family, it could also protect carers and social care staff against false allegations.
I am not a qualified expert, nor am I legally trained, but through my experiences and over time I have come to understand the most significant obstacles faced with the use of CCTV in care homes are Data Protection and fundamental Human Rights; both of which I believe could be achieved and be maintained.
I firmly believe the key to maintaining privacy and dignity while providing security and protection is within the laws we already have.