Plumbing Firm Boss Attacks NICE Suggestion to Make Engineers into Care Workers
- arryawke
- Mar 9, 2015
- 2 min read
Pimlico Plumbers’ CEO Charlie Mullins has launched a scathing attack on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)’s belief that plumbers and heating engineers should join front-line care staff in tackling problems caused by cold homes.
The health watchdog believes that, with some training, a ‘hidden army’ of plumbers, meter readers and engineers could support traditional health and care staff in helping to identify people at risk.
However, Charlie has reacted angrily to this idea suggesting that it will only serve to release those whose job it is to identify those at risk from their responsibilities.
Charlie Mullins said:
“Plumbers, like most people, are caring and compassionate human beings who will always do the right thing, but adding care worker to their job description is simply wrong.
“Making them part of the official safety net only proves the net is broken and the first step in releasing the people who are supposed to look after the vulnerable from their responsibilities.”
Charlie added:
“Don't get me wrong, when my tradespeople come across someone who is in trouble at home during a visit of course they will help, what else would they do?
“And I don't mean just if they're too cold either. We've jumped started cars, rescued pets from trees and under furniture. One time one of our plumbers was flailing around in a loft space for half an hour trying to catch a lady's parrot. And yes, on occasion we've called a doctor, found missing bottles of heart pills and called 999 when things really looked bad.
“We also prioritise heating calls to elderly people and families with young children when it's cold out and demand is high. But that doesn't mean we need a law that actively says to plumbers and other trades people you’re not only responsible for fixing the taps but also to pick up the slack from failing social services.”
Charlie concluded:
“NICE seems content to be part of a society where they don’t even park the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, but instead want to mark out a space for a plumbers’ van!”