Rehab industry issues voluntary code
Rehab industry issues voluntary code
A new system of common standards has been unveiled with the aim of cleaning up the private rehabilitation industry. The UK Rehabilitation Council issued the guidelines, covering everything from cost to qualifications. The TUC, however, said proper regulation of the industry would be more effective than voluntary guidelines. The new voluntary standards are aimed at private health firms providing nursing, physiotherapy and counselling care to people injured in accidents and at work. The council, which represents the industry, said it was acting because of a minority of rogue firms. Private rehab firms have enjoyed a boom in recent years as insurance firms see them as a way of minimising their payouts. The providers are also used by employers and the government, which has used them to help incapacity benefit claimants get back into work. The standards are aimed at those paying for the service as well as their clients. They give advice on how to choose a provider and what level of care and support can be expected. This includes advice on cost, qualifications of staff and likely outcomes. Council chair Catherine McLoughlin said the move was necessary because a minority of firms 'have under-delivered and over-charged, so undermining the confidence in the whole concept.' Work minister Lord McKenzie welcomed the standards. He said: 'It is essential that those absent from work due to ill health or injury get the quality of care they need to ensure a well-managed return to work.' However, TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said binding standards would be more effective. 'We hope that there will be a major increase in rehabilitation in coming years and while these guidelines are welcome, this is an industry that is crying out for regulation. The levels of service and standards are, to say the least, variable. Although the TUC is pleased that the industry has developed these guidelines we have doubts as to whether these voluntary measures will be really effective in driving up standards and keeping out some of the more dubious providers.'
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