Almost half of care homes inspected in Scotland do not meet national standards for nutrition.   

A new report by the Care Commission says it is "concerned" at the high number of complaints they have received. Worryingly, 91 complaints received in the report's timescale of 2006 to 2007 cited dehydration as a major concern. 

The study analysed inspections of 303 care homes for older people in Scotland and found that only 51% met the National Care Standards in all five areas regarding nutrition which they looked at. 

However the report Eating Well in Care Homes For Older People says the findings are "generally positive".  The researchers found that 85% of care homes had a written food and nutrition policy and 94% said they had access to an NHS dietician.  

Despite this only 40% had their menus nutritionally assessed by a dietician, and some menus had not been planned to meet the individual needs of clients.  For example, some did not provide enough soft, easily chewed food, or food with enough energy to stop older people losing weight.

Almost a third did not screen people for the risk of under-nutrition, while another third did not screen people for dehydration when they came to live in the care home. 

Susan Brimelow, the Care Commission’s director of healthcare regulation, said: "People in care homes are among the most vulnerable in our community. They depend on the care home and its staff to provide balanced meals and ready access to as much water and other liquids as they need.  This report aims to make people aware of the standards of good practice we expect all care homes to follow. There is plenty of room to improve." 

The Care Commission upheld or partially upheld 76 of the 91 complaints it received.  It upheld nine complaints about people who were not given enough help to eat and drink.  There were also complaints about dietary needs not being met, lack of fruit and vegetables, and unplanned weight loss or under nutrition.

As a result of the complaints, the Care Commission made 38 recommendations.