Following its market study which launched in December 2016, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) has published its initial findings into the care home sector.
The CMA’s initial findings highlight the following concerns in the care home sector:
- People are struggling to get the information they need to make informed decisions about care;
- Complaints procedures are not functioning well;
- Some care homes may not treat residents fairly and certain practices and contract terms may break consumer law;
- The sector is not well position to attract the necessary investment needed to building for the future
In addition to publishing its initial findings, the CMA also announced that, as a result of information received during the market study, it had launched a consumer protection case to investigate its concerns that a number of care home providers may be breaking consumer law. The consumer protection case is specifically focused on homes charging large up front fees and homes charging for extended periods after a resident has died.
The CMA’s press release can be read here: CMA outlines emerging concerns in care homes market