[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Care home camera monitoring company Care Protect is expanding into Australia in response to occurrences of abuse in the country’s care homes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1533813718191{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”383″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1533813529843{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The Australian Federal Government has announced plans to set up a powerful new watchdog as part of a review of the care system, sparked by a scandal in Adelaide’s Oakden nursing home, which was followed by other similar incidents being reported.

As in the UK, some families in Australia have installed secret cameras to check up on the quality of care their relatives are receiving.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Care Protect’s Australian operation will be headed up by former City broker Scott Sterling. Belfast-born Scott, who graduated from Kingston University with a Business Management degree, will work from a Sydney base with care providers across the country to introduce the Care Protect system.

Care Protect’s monitoring system employs the latest sound and motion sensitive technology which, when activated by a ‘resident event’, triggers recording which, within seconds alerts the 24/7 professional monitor. This is said to reduce risk because assistance can be provided to a resident within seconds of the event having occurred, and encourages staff behaviour conducive to a low risk environment. As in the UK, independent, experienced health and social care professionals will monitor the recordings.

“The care sector in Australia has been under fire for a couple of years now, triggered by a number of high-profile cases,” said Care Protect founder Philip Scott.

“Our experience in tackling abuse and poor quality care and using monitoring to drive standards of care is something I believe will support the efforts of the Australian Government and the new Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission.

“The results from UK providers using the system are hugely encouraging and demonstrate the very tangible benefits for forward-thinking care providers.

“Understandably, the use of cameras in a care setting is an emotive subject and I am sure any debate will trigger concerns about intrusion into people’s privacy. However, such fears should not stifle an informed debate about technologies that can materially improve safeguarding for vulnerable people.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] ')}