Scots to create data bank on care homes

The Scottish executive has pledged to create a central information
service on care homes for older people, accepting a key
recommendation of a report criticising provision in the UK.

In its response to the Office of Fair Trading’s report on the
problems pensioners face finding care homes, it says information on
residential care is dispersed across the executive, the Scottish
Care Commission, councils and the voluntary sector.

It also accepts the OFT’s claim that some councils are
failing to contract for the full costs of assessed needs and
promises to clarify guidance.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection said its approach to
reforming inspection tackled many of the OFT’s concerns. This
includes improvements in the format and signposting of inspection
reports to make them more accessible.

Chair Denise Platt said: “People do struggle to know what is
available.”

• Responses from www.csci.org.uk
  and www.scotland.gov.uk