CCTV in care homes - Implications for insurers

The mistreatment of elderly and vulnerable people in care homes is an issue that sadly continues to rear its ugly head.  A Panorama programme aired in April 2014 showed undercover filming of a number of distressing incidents arising in care homes.

Shortly after the programme hit the headlines HC-One, one of the UK’s largest residential care providers, announced a consultation on the installation of visible CCTV cameras in all of its care and nursing homes, in order to “prevent abuse and neglect of vulnerable elderly residents”.

Although a ComRes poll showed 80% of 2000 adults surveyed supported installation of visible cameras, it makes you wonder what percentage of care home residents support the idea, or if anyone bothered to ask them? Anything involving CCTV immediately raises difficult issues surrounding privacy of both care home residents and staff, and practical aspects of CCTV coverage – will each care home have someone watching every camera 24x7, or will video footage be recorded and only called upon when an issue arises?  And how will the dignity of very vulnerable residents be protected?

It also raises questions, and possibly opportunities, for providers of care home insurance, many of whom have left the market over the last 18 months, or reduced cover offered by care home insurance policies, as rising claims have made the sector unprofitable.  Abuse claims from residents, and personal injury claims from staff, can rarely be substantiated, and a high percentage are thought to be fraudulent, or frivolous, or both.  As a wide effect, widespread use of CCTV in care homes could reduce fraudulent insurance claims, provided CCTV evidence is made available to insurers.  This in turn could bring insurers back into the sector, creating a more competitive market and cheaper policies for care home owners.

Will insurers have the right to view CCTV footage in order to process or reject a claim?  An amendment to the Data Protection Act 1998 gives individuals the right to both view, and have a copy of, any CCTV footage in which they are captured.  It is hoped that anyone making a claim where CCTV footage is available would be willing to submit footage to help prove their case.

In the meantime, the market for care home insurance remains challenging, but Brents Insurance continues to offer a wide range of care home insurances, working with a panel of specialist insurers to provide affordable policies across Essex.  For a quote or call back call Brents Insurance on 01277 223344.