Smith to raise Care Home concerns with Government

5/4/08

Following the recent concerns highlighted by a local press investigation into Ashley Court Nursing Home, Margaret Smith MSP will be writing to the Care Commission and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, to raise concerns about staffing and training problems and the treatment of older people in Scotland.

Commenting, the Edinburgh West MSP said:

“This investigation has highlighted practical issues about funding, staffing levels, the experience people have and what is expected of them. There is also the wider cultural issue about how we care for older people and we have a long way to go in terms of improvement.

“I hope the Care Commission and the Cabinet Secretary will give due consideration to these concerns as it is vital that older people in Scotland are treated with dignity and respect and that those in need receive the best care and support we can provide. It is also crucial to ensure that care home staff are not placed under undue pressure through shortages or lack of training.”