Improving care for older people: Regulation and Inspection'

Driving Improvement in care services for older people explored at national conference.
Findings from Inspection and Regulation highlighted to help improve practice.

Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, addressed delegates at a national conference in Edinburgh today (29 January 2008). The National conference, ‘Improving care for older people: messages from regulation and inspection' explored how the findings of Inspection and regulation activity can help to improve practice in the care and support for older people in Scotland.

The event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) was jointly organised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the Care Commission and the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA).

Over 150 delegates, including care service managers, heads of community care planning, people who use services and carers, shared experiences and discussed how the quality of life for people living in care homes can be improved.

Leaders from the SSSC, the Care Commission and SWIA spoke about how they work together to drive improvement through regulation and inspection. Delegates also participated in seminars and workshops on achieving quality through partnership, promoting nutrition in care homes and grading for improvement.

Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, said: "I am delighted to speak at this joint event organised by the three inspection and regulatory bodies with key responsibilities for the quality of care and the care workforce. Older people in Scotland with care needs deserve the best possible standards of care and support. The Scottish Government has demonstrated its commitment to older people, for example by making dementia a national priority and increasing Free Personal and Nursing Care payments. The work of the inspection and regulatory bodies plays a vital role in identifying and promoting good practice and in improving standards of care. This joint event is an important opportunity for care professionals to share knowledge and expertise."

Speakers at the conference included Professor Mary Marshall, who lectures and writes about dementia and is a member of the Independent Funding Review of Free Personal Care, Alexis Jay, Chief Social Work Inspector, Carole Wilkinson, Chief Executive, SSSC and Jacquie Roberts, Chief Executive, Care Commission.