Care of older people a "personal priority" for Scottish Health Secretary

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has stated that she is making care of older individuals in Scotland a "personal priority" in the new parliamentary term, with particular focus on individuals suffering from dementia.

She announced that the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and the Scottish Government's Chief Nursing Officer will have key roles to play to ensure high standards of care for older people are maintained. The implementation of a new regime of inspections was also announced, to ensure care in hospitals and care homes is meeting national standards.

Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary

 Ms Sturgeon, now directly responsible for older people's care, said she is ready to tackle the "huge challenge" of modernising care services in Scotland. As well as inspections, the chief nursing officer will oversee the implementation of dementia standards in hospitals.
"Quality, compassionate care for older people that protects their dignity and independence, is one of the most sacred duties of any civilised society," said Ms Sturgeon. "It is something I believe we generally do well - but that is not good enough. We must do it well for every older person on every occasion, in care homes and in hospitals.

"I consider improving care for older people - whether that means ensuring the implementation of the dementia standards, making sure older people are treated with care and compassion wherever they are and whatever their diagnosis, or better joining up health and social care - to be a personal priority."

The announcement came after a number of recent cases which raised concern over the care of elderly patients in Scotland. The Mental Welfare Commission criticised Ninewells hospital in Dundee over the care of an 80-year-old woman with dementia. It was found that the use of sedatives in the days leading up to the woman's death was distressing and unnecessary.
The recent deaths of two elderly former residents at Elsie Inglis Care Home in Edinburgh prompted a police investigation and the closure of the facility.

SNP ministers have also raised concern over the thousands of older Scots being cared for by under-threat care home provider Southern Cross, which is suffering from serious financial problems, and has a large number of care homes across the UK.

The Health Secretary's comments came as the Scottish Government published two major documents as part of Scotland's first ever National Dementia Strategy. Standards of Care for Dementia have been unveiled to help people with dementia, their families and carers understand and assert their rights. The standards state that people with dementia should be treated with respect, their physical care environment should be personalised, and their specific needs and preferences recognised and factored into their care package.


The Scottish government will consult on the standards over the next six months, which will be tested before being formally adopted.



Find out more about care for older people in Scotland.