National Care Standards Launched

A campaign to raise awareness of Scotland’s National Care Standards was launched with a dramatic flourish today. As well as a TV advert, the campaign will feature a touring theatre production which will visit day centres and care homes throughout Scotland.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison saw a preview of the Live Wire Theatre Group production during a visit to Dundee’s Oakland Centre today.

The £200,000 campaign is designed to highlight the importance of the National Care Standards and get the message across about what they mean and the benefits they bring.

The care standards set out what people can expect from each type of care service – from support with independent living through to care homes for the elderly.

Ms Robison said:”Choosing the right care provider – whether you’re looking for a nursery or residential care for an elderly relative – is crucial.

“That’s why we have the National Care Standards which are designed to ensure people receive the same quality of care no matter where they live. They also set out what people are entitled to expect, for instance their rights to privacy.

“The standards also play a critical role in the inspection process as they are used by the Care Commission to monitor and drive up the quality of care across Scotland.

“To support this, we will also shortly implement National Minimum Information Standards For All Adults In Scotland. These are to give health, social work and housing professionals a consistent framework for identifying people’s needs and preparing care plans.

“Today’s campaign aims to raise awareness of the standards amongst the people who matter – those people who need to be cared for either now or in the future – and I’m sure that the TV advert, coupled with the innovative theatre production, will help to do just that.”

Professor Frank Clark, Convener of the Care Commission, said: “As regulator and inspector of Scotland’s 15,000 care services, the standards provide the shade card against which we measure the quality of the care being provided.

“Not everyone realises that the National Care Standards are relevant to them. Yet they cover the services provided by, for example, childminders, day and after-school care for children, care homes and personal care delivered in the home.

“We urge people who use these services, their families and carers to become familiar with the standard of care they can and should expect.”