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Southern Cross Healthcare Enters into an Innovative Partnership with Action on Elder Abuse

Southern Cross Healthcare has entered into an innovative partnership with the charity Action on Elder Abuse to launch an independent national helpline designed to protect older people from abuse in care homes.

Staffed by Action on Elder Abuse, the freephone helpline will give service users, relatives and staff the opportunity to report abuse knowing that they will be treated seriously and without fear of repercussions.

Mark Eaton from the Personal Group, which works closely with Southern Cross Healthcare’s HR department will present Gary Fitzgerald with a cheque for £10,000 as a donation towards the charity’s work.

Kamma Foulkes, Chief Operating Officer at Southern Cross said: "Southern Cross is totally committed to protecting both our service users and our staff. We are determined to tackle abuse by supporting this independent and robust system intended to protect residents, relatives and staff who wish to raise concerns safe in the knowledge they will be treated seriously and without prejudice.

"We are extremely proud to be working in partnership with Action on Elder Abuse. As a major care provider we believe we have taken a positive step in providing a platform for people to voice concerns about abuse and bad practice, as well as ensuring that these concerns will be acted upon. This is the first scheme of this type and Southern Cross is the only major provider to act in this proactive manner."

Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Action on Elder Abuse commented: "We are pleased to be a part of this unique partnership. Southern Cross has taken a major step by working with us in this way and for this they should be congratulated. We hope that this initiative provides an influence for the whole sector to seriously tackle issues of abuse and demonstrates the commitments of the majority of Care Home owners, managers and staff to treat residents and their families with real dignity and respect

"We recognise how difficult it can be for residents and their families to raise issues of abuse and neglect. This service will tackle many of those barriers making it easier to report abuse in the knowledge that a response will be achieved. At a time when government is consulting on systems to protect adults at risk of abuse it is vital that we continue to provide a means by which those who are the most vulnerable can challenge abuse and receive the support they need"

TV actress and Loose Women presenter Lynda Bellingham also backed the helpline, she said: "Elder abuse is a serious issue and this is an excellent initiative aimed at tackling the problem. Older people deserve the very best care and respect and I wish the helpline every success."