The Echo reported this week as part of a national campaign, residents will be invited to the big care home conversation that will take part at Chelmsford County Hall.

I’m sure many residents, will have a wide range of differing views as to how care homes should be run as after all they are on the receiving end of the care services being provided.

As both a former carer, NVQ assessor for health and social care, and having had two members of my family reside in care homes, I can view from only these three perspectives and not that of a resident.

Caring is a profession that requires staff of a certain calibre who, as the present Government now insists, possess a kind, considerate nature, and not just simply possess those qualifications known as an NVQ.

From my experience the very nature of the job is run by proprietors primarily for financial profit, and the pittance of wages paid to care staff does little to ensure good quality staff.

Poor working conditions, being subject to body fluids and risk of cross infection as a result mean staff are inevitably off work sick, for which very few care homes pay little or no sick pay.

As an assessor, I know funding for training is seized upon to capitalise on the profits. Certainly in my costings. I have never known of the total training costs amounting to more than 30 per cent of the funding being provided.

As a relative of a resident, I have been informed by some managers they are reluctant to sack inefficient staff for fear of litigation that could follow at a later date.

Instead of problems being nipped in the bud they are allowed to fester and frequently minor incidents manifest into something more serious.

I have worked in care homes where activities involve sitting round a television and dropping off to sleep. That is unacceptable, effectively a form of abuse.

Care staff are prone to damaging and addictive behaviour, including drug taking, as a way of coping with the pressures of work. I find it sad devoted staff can feel as vulnerable as those to whom they offer their services

N Vince
Rocheway
Rochford

..I want to bring to your attention the wonderful care provided by Westerly Care Home, in Westcliff.

My grandma became a resident there two years ago at the age of 95. Within a few months she started showing signs of dementia and became increasingly frail.

At each stage of this journey the care home embraced new and creative ways of caring for her, never looking for a reason to say she had become too dependent and needed too much care.

They encouraged her to do all she could and supported her when she wasn’t able.

Throughout the week they had various activities for residents.

Just under two weeks ago she stopped being able to get out of her bed and appeared to have decided she had lived long enough.

The home cared for her with diligence and tender care. When they said they would do something they did it, and each time they appeared to go the extra mile including caring for us, her family.

In her final days, one or more of her family were with her, and those final hours were precious and will always be remembered.

The staff and carers at the home do a fantastic job and are unsung heroes. I wanted to thank them for making a very difficult time so much easier by being the kind of care home every family hopes and dreams of.

Rachel Wright
Liftstan Way
Southend