Nursing home crisis: 'Care must be tailored to those in need'

Published on Thursday 2 June 2011 10:34

The severe problems afflicting many care homes across Britain have been well documented in recent days.

The potential collapse of Southern Cross, Britain's biggest nursing home operator, has dramatically exposed the financial strain on a large part of the industry.

Even more disturbing have been the distressing failings in care standards - the abuse exposed at one English home by the BBC's Panorama and the enforced closure of the Elsie Inglis home here in Edinburgh.

But one fundamental flaw in our care system has largely been overlooked throughout.

What kind of a system routinely places the elderly and infirm, many of them suffering dementia, in the same care environment as younger people with Down's syndrome or learning disabilities?

That is what is happening to hundreds of people in homes up and down Scotland, including several in the Capital.

It may be possible to meet their varied needs in one first-class institution, but even that is questionable.

It would certainly require a range of highly-trained specialists and when standards slip, even slightly, the inevitable result must be vulnerable residents suffering.

Our nursing homes cannot be allowed to become glorified dumping grounds for all those in need of extra support.

That is not to say there are not many excellent care facilities in Scotland. There are but the care on offer must be appropriate and tailored to those who need it, right across the board.

The events of recent days show that strong regulation is needed to ensure that happens.

Vote winner

NOT everyone will be happy at the decision to stop allowing political parties to place signs on the city's lampposts during election campaigns.

Several people, including our own columnist Gina Davidson, have suggested that the colourful banners add to the gaiety of the occasion, or that they serve as a reminder that polling day is coming.

Perhaps most surprisingly, even Green councillor Alison Johnstone backed the - often plastic - signs, saying they were used over and over again.

But, on the whole, we imagine most residents will be glad to see the back of these eyesores, a few of which always remain in sight months after polls close.

And if a few people really do need the posters as a reminder that it is election time, maybe they simply haven't been paying enough attention to make their vote worth casting.