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Issued 26th January 2001

NURSING HOMES CALL ON WESTMINSTER GOVERNMENT TO MATCH THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE IN CONCERN FOR ELDERLY

The Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA) today welcomed the decision of the Scottish Executive to provide free personal care to Scottish pensioners.

The association, which represents over 1,000 nursing homes, is calling on the government in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly to extend the principle of free personal care to people throughout all four countries which make up the United Kingdom.

Commented RNHA chief executive officer Frank Ursell: "The Scottish Executive has, in effect, decided to implement the recommendations of the independent Royal Commission on the funding of the long-term care of the elderly. This means people will not have to pay or contribute towards the cost of care that involves someone else - often a nurse or care assistant - touching their body in order to enable them to maintain their health and live normally."

Under the definitions of 'personal care' used by the Royal Commission are procedures designed to help individuals with their washing, bathing, skin care, dressing, urinary and bowel functions, mobility and taking medication.

Added Mr Ursell: "As a result of the Scottish Executive decision, it looks as though Scottish residents in nursing home care will have a larger proportion of their care funded by the State than their counterparts south of the border. The decision to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission is good news for the people of Scotland. I am sure that people elsewhere in the UK would like to think that their needs will be met in exactly the same way."

The RNHA will now press UK government ministers responsible for health and social security to follow the example set by the Scottish Executive.

"Equity for older people who have paid the same taxes throughout their lives, whether they happen to live in one part of the UK or another, is surely a fundamental principle that should be applied," said Mr Ursell.

Nursing homes in England are also reported to be extremely concerned that they may have to apply different rules to residents who are from England and those who may be from Scotland but have chosen a nursing home located south of the border.

"How invidious it will be to have to charge one person more for exactly the same care as another," said Mr Ursell. "Let us hope that it does not come to that. We need to see the Westminster government displaying the same degree of concern for the elderly of the whole country that the Scottish Executive has already displayed for Scottish citizens."

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For further information please contact: Frank Ursell, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nursing Home Association (Tel: 0121-454 2511 or mobile 0385 227000)