Surrey Lib Dems call for action from top to bottom following report into the death of Gloria Foster

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/677900/Serious-Case-Review-Report-The-Death-of-Mrs-Gloria-Foster.pdfCommenting on the publication today of the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board's Serious Case Review into the death of Gloria Foster, Councillor Fiona White, the Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokesperson for Adult Social Care on Surrey County Council said:

"I welcome the fact that the Board has published this full and detailed report from the review panel. However, I have to say that it makes very sorry reading.

"It is clear that there were faults in many parts of the process but particularly in the failure of Surrey County Council to make sure that Mrs Foster was contacted as soon as they had received the list with her name on. The report makes it clear that they had been aware of her for many years and a review of her file history would have shown that she needed regular care visits and that it was very important that alternative arrangements for her care had to be put in place as a matter of urgency once the care agency was no longer trading.

"Surrey has a responsibility for making sure that everyone in Surrey who has care needs has a suitable care package in place, even those people who pay for their own care, and that includes carrying out regular reviews. The report points out that Mrs Foster's care reviews were sporadic and the last one was 22 months before her death.

"I welcome the comments by the Director of Adult Social Care expressing where she has acknowledged that the Council failed Mrs Foster. The comments and recommendations in the report show that the systems in place did not work in this instance. The report is also clear that agencies need to work closely together to make sure that care needs are clearly identified and proper care packages are put in place. In a situation such as the closure of the care company, it is essential that the Council actually contacts the client to make sure that alternative arrangements are made.

"Everybody involved from top to bottom in providing Adult and Social Care in the community, whether in local government, the NHS or other agencies should read it carefully and put in place robust processes to ensure there is never a repeat of this sad and tragic case.

"Surrey County Council must take on board all of the lessons learnt and the recommendations from the report. That is particularly the responsibility of the leadership of the council, both at cabinet member and officer levels. In particular, it must be clear and thorough in understanding its full responsibility for those people who are self funding. It is clear from the report that there were failings in this over a long period of time at all levels."

Councillor Hazel Watson, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Surrey County Council said: "I welcome this detailed report, which is long overdue. I am also pleased that as a result of my questioning there will be a review of progress by Surrey County Council after six months. But, the ultimate responsibility for this tragedy must go to the very top of Surrey County Council's Conservative run administration. Michael Gosling, the then Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, who is now the Cabinet Member for Public Health and the Health & Wellbeing Board, must take the ultimate responsibility for the service pressures and structural failings that allowed this to happen."

Notes:

Gloria Foster, 81 of Banstead, died in February after her care agency shut with no replacement after officers from the UK Border Agency and the Metropolitan Police raided the care agency Carefirst24 in Sutton on 15 January as part of an investigation into suspected illegal workers and fraud. She was found at home by a district nurse and died in hospital. Mrs Foster was found suffering from dehydration and starvation after going without the four daily visits she was due to have. Carefirst24 provided care to elderly people across Surrey and the London Borough of Sutton on behalf of the two local authorities.

The report by the Serious Case Review Panel of Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board can be found at http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/677900/Serious-Case-Review-Report-The-Death-of-Mrs-Gloria-Foster.pdf