INSPECTORS welcomed the jailing of a care worker who sexually abused an elderly resident at a Haydock care home – and they are drawing up guidelines for care homes on the use of cameras.

Derek Rigby’s offences only came to light after the resident’s daughter hid a camera in her mother’s room at Colliers Croft Care Home.

In response to this and similar cases, national health and social care regulator Care Quality Commission (CQC) is publishing guidance on the use of surveillance to monitor care.

After Rigby, 44, was sentenced to two years in prison, the victim’s daughter said she would like to see CCTV installed at all care homes.

A CQC spokesperson said: “The sentencing sends a strong message that it is completely unacceptable to abuse vulnerable people in your care and we hope it will act as a powerful deterrent.

“We carried out a responsive inspection of the home in July this year. As with all registered services Colliers Croft is subject to continued monitoring with national standards.”

The inspection found services were safe, effective and caring but the home was judged to be ‘requiring improvement’ overall, particularly regarding responsiveness and leadership. A spokeswoman for Colliers Croft said they had supported the investigation, but declined to comment on whether they would install CCTV.

Next year, CQC will publish guidelines about using surveillance and a spokesperson said: “We know cameras have been used to expose failings but also that they can compromise a person’s privacy, dignity and basic human rights if they are not used properly. People’s views on this topic are hugely mixed.

“The information we will be publishing for providers will make clear the issues we expect them to take into account if they are considering installing public cameras.”

Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: “Cameras have helped to expose terrible cruelty and neglectful care. Decisions about using surveillance are extremely difficult, there’s a balance to be struck between protecting people and respecting their right to privacy.”