Vow To Improve Standards In Care Homes
Standards of care in Scotland’s nursing homes need to be improved, according to the minister responsible for services for the elderly.
{mosimage}Shona Robison, the public health minister, said she was “appalled” by the cases of neglect and mistreatment of elderly people highlighted by The Scotsman earlier this week, and pledged action to lift standards.
Following Monday’s investigation – which found that complaints about abuse in care homes had risen by two thirds last year, The Scotsman has learned of further serious instances of neglect.
Writing for this paper, Ms Robison said: “Like anyone else, I was appalled to read of the cases of neglect and mistreatment of older people in care homes highlighted by The Scotsman.
“The fact that these cases still have the power to shock us demonstrates that they are, thankfully, not commonplace – but it’s still not good enough that they happen at all.
“I am determined to prevent the unacceptable mistreatment of older people in care homes. The need to improve standards lies at the heart of this issue.”
Ms Robison said a new campaign would raise awareness of the existing care standards, which experts say are too often not being met.
Regulations imposed under the previous administration and due to come into force in October require all care homes to show 40 per cent of non-nursing staff have achieved suitable qualifications. Failure to comply will result in a cut in local authority funding.
The Scotsman has learned that a nursing home was criticised for failing to seek medical assistance for a pensioner who had contracted pneumonia.
It was only when Margaret Hamilton, 77, was visited by her husband, George, at the Levenglen Nursing Home near Kinross, that nurses called a doctor.
Mrs Hamilton was admitted to hospital, diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia and spent seven weeks recovering. An investigation by the Care Commission found that staff had failed to ensure Mrs Hamilton received proper medical attention, and ordered the home to improve standards.
Mr Hamilton, 76, from East Linton, East Lothian, claimed his wife had money stolen from another home, in Edinburgh.
He said: “Standards vary tremendously and it seems to depend on the management. They seem to play on fact they are dealing with elderly people, and that we cannot rely on what they say. It’s a very serious problem.”
No-one from Levenglen, which was taken over by European Care Group in December – was prepared to comment.
A spokesman for the Care Commission said: “We are always keen for anyone who has concerns about standards of care to contact us.”
A spokesman for the Executive said: “The Scottish government is committed to addressing the needs of older people and we will carefully consider how best to do this.”
PARLIAMENTARY MOVE TO CREATE ‘TSAR’ TO CHAMPION PROTECTION OF ELDERLY
A BILL will be launched in parliament to create a champion for Scotland’s elderly.
SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn said he expects his private member’s bill to be put before the Scottish parliament before the end of the year.
He said that an elderly “tsar” would provide more protection for vulnerable people.
“I think there’s scope for establishing such a position. There is already a commissioner for children, and while, of course, the two are not entirely comparable, there are similarities.
“There are, amongst their numbers, some of the most vulnerable people in the country.”
A similar proposal was launched by Alex Neil, his SNP colleague, last year but it failed to get off the ground before the dissolution of parliament.
Mr Hepburn said it had received one of the healthiest responses of any private members bills when it was put out consultation.
He added: “I’m certainly hopeful that it will receive the cross-party support needed.”
The move comes amid criticism from campaigners, including Age Concern Scotland, over the lack of a figurehead to concentrate on policies concerning elderly people.
