There is both private and NHS residential care in Scotland and the type of care can vary hugely. Some people only require respite care while others require permanent care.  There can be specialist care required for those with complex medical needs, while others need something more straightforward. The social work department is normally involved in care and nursing home placement, working together with the individual and their families to assist with the move into care. 

Care and nursing homes are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate has wide ranging powers from making recommendations after inspection to serving improvement notices and in some exceptional cases can implement closure of the home.

Residents will often have a named nurse and a GP will be assigned to the care home. Sometimes residents will need specialist nurses and can be visited by a tissue viability nurse, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist or other allied health professional.  Care assistants can also be involved in making and going to appointments with residents and so good communication between agencies is required to ensure that resident is receiving the best possible medical care.

Whatever the level of support offered, residents and their families will expect high standards of care. If an individual or a family member has concerns about the standard of care being delivered it’s recommended, in the first instance, to speak to the care home manager. Good communication is essential in ensuring a robust care plan is being adhered to and avoids any misunderstandings and will hopefully pick up on any improvements that may be needed.

In some scenarios, either the individual and/or family haven’t been able to resolve their issue with the care home directly. In these cases, you can make a formal complaint to the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate can investigate and make recommendations following the complaint and in very serious cases can look at enforcement action, for instance serving an improvement notice, follow up inspections and in rare cases can look to close the care home.