Chamber and committees

In addition, theSocial Work Inspection Agency has a programme of inspecting all social workservices delivered by local authorities across Scotland by early 2009. These inspections will include consideration of thequality and quantity of care at home services.

The Commission isalso required to take account of the National Care Standards in all itsregulatory decisions. In respect of staff, the Standards require providers tohave safe staff recruitment and selection procedures in place covering alllegal requirements. This includes Disclosure Scotland checks, taking upreferences and cross-reference to the registers of the Scottish Social ServicesCouncil, Nursing and Midwifery Council or other professional organisations,where appropriate.

The CareCommission has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal should aprovider fail to meet these requirements or the expectations set out in the National CareStandards.

The National CareStandards for care homes for older people require care home providers to have awritten policy and procedure on the conditions under which restraint is used,and that staff are fully trained and supported in the use of restraint. Providersshould also include in a resident’s personal plan any measures of restraint whichstaff may have to use for their own safety or the safety of others. Restraint shouldonly be used when it is necessary and after other forms of intervention have beenthoroughly tried and found to be unsuccessful, or where there is a specific legalrequirement.

The Regulation ofCare (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 require carehome providers to ensure that no resident is subject to restraint unless it is theonly practicable means of securing the welfare of that or any other service userand there are exceptional circumstances. Providers are also required to keep a recordof any occasion on which restraint or control has been applied to a resident, withdetails of the form of restraint or control, the reason why it was necessary andthe name of the person authorising it.

The Care Commissionregulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking accountof the National Care Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at itsdisposal should a provider fail to meet these requirements.

The National CareStandards for Care Homes for Older People say that the care home service will havepolicies and procedures in place for the administration of medication. They alsostate that staff will know how to put these policies and procedures into practiceand will have regular training to review this and learn about new guidance.

The Regulation ofCare (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations require the care home to keep records of medicines kept onthe premises for the use of residents.

The Care Commission regulates care homes againstthe requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the NationalCare Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal shoulda provider fail to meet these requirements.

The National CareStandards for care homes for older people require care home providers to provideopportunities for all residents, including those with dementia, to take part inphysical activities in or outside the home. Where a resident is unable to go outsidethe home, staff should arrange physical activities that aim to help the residentmaintain their physical independence and ability. In addition residents should beable to access community healthcare services such as physiotherapy and chiropody.

The Care Commissionregulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking accountof the National Care Standards.

The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services)(Scotland) Regulations require providers to ensure that at all times sufficientnumbers of suitably qualified and competent persons are working in the care serviceas are appropriate for the health and welfare of service users. Care providers mustensure that care staff receive training appropriate to the work they are to perform.

The Care Commission regulates care homes againstthe requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the NationalCare Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal shoulda provider fail to meet these requirements.

Work is currentlybeing carried out in the Care Home Staffing Project by the Scottish Government,the Care Commission and COSLA to look at whether a model can be developed to informstaffing levels in care homes. Preliminary findings are expected towards the endof the summer.

The Scottish Governmentrecently issued guidance to NHS boards and Community Health Partnerships on theneed to develop a combined falls prevention and bone health strategy. The guidancewas also issued to local authorities as robust falls and fracture management andprevention strategies are imperative for care home residents, amongst whom the incidenceof falls and fractures is high.

The guidance, NHSHDL(2007)13, is available at:

Following publication of theMental Welfare Commission Report Older and Wiser - Findings from ourunannounced visits to NHS continuing care ward (Bib. number 42946).I have askedthe NHS boards to provide action plans that set out how they will ensure thatall services meet the standards of the best service as identified in thatreport. Dementia is a national priority and we place great importance onsupport services for dementia sufferers.

We also have two timetabledcommitments directed at further improving services for those with dementia andtheir carers. These include a pilot programme on how best to improve dementiaservices (2008) and the development of standards for an Integrated Care Pathwayfor dementia (end 2007). Additional general mental health timetabledinitiatives including work on reducing readmissions, improving physical health;better crisis responses and improving the physical health of those with mentalillness will also have a positive impact.

In addition, we providefinancial support for a range of voluntary sector dementia services, includingthe Dementia Services Development Centre and Alzheimer Scotland.