York: who will the finger-waggers blame when someone needlessly dies?
Damning. That was the verdict offered in response to a Care Quality Commission report produced following an inspection of adult social care services delivered to York residents.
It is the view of this newspaper that that verdict does not go far enough, given the CQC report, published in December, gave the lowest possible score in four separate areas, branding those areas inadequate. Five more assessed services scored little better, the authority being told those areas require immediate improvement.
The people of York deserve better, and they will not take kindly, either, to the blame game playing out in council chambers, members of the Liberal Democrats and Labour group seemingly dispensing more energy on finger-pointing than going about their business.
Diabolical is perhaps a more apt verdict. There can be no excuse for putting vulnerable individuals’ lives at risk, as this report sets out, dilapidated systems and processes failing to provide rigour. It is heartbreaking to learn that many people, let alone feeling cared for, do not even feel seen or heard by a system that is failing them badly.
Similarly, as CQC Chief Inspector Chris Badger points out, there is a cohort of staff, carers included, who are also being let down by a rudderless leadership which, on this evidence, does not care a jot.
The City of York should be a standard bearer for excellence on behalf of the county of Yorkshire, in every aspect of life, not a gargoyle on its brow brigning shame and derision. One thing is clear: someone will perish on the watch of this administration if improvements are not made quickly.