New body to regulate care homes
The new National Care Standards Commission will take over the regulation of catering in care homes and agencies from 1 April 2002.
Inspectors and support staff will transfer from local authorities to eight regional and 71 area offices.
Julie Barnes, an analytic inspector, told delegates that the priorities for care home residents were social activity and food. Inspectors would make sure care workers checked the weight of residents, provided varied menus, and used the advice of a dietician.
One example of unacceptable practice Barnes had seen was a care worker shovelling food into the mouths of four infirm residents using the same spoon.
Care homes will have to comply with national minimum standards from next April.