Water UK

Access to fresh drinking water in national minimum standards for care homes

31/10/07

John Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive , further to the answers to questions S3W-3424 and S3W-3425 by Shona Robison on 6 September and 27 August 2007 respectively, whether it will make it explicit in the national minimum care standards for care homes that service users must have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day and that it should be offered regularly to them. (S3W-05449)

Shona Robison: As noted in the reply to question S3W-03425 on 27 August 2007, the National Care Standards for care homes already include the right for residents to have cold drinks whenever they wish. Nonetheless, access to fresh drinking water in care homes will be considered when the National Care Standards are reviewed in due course. Any proposed changes to the Standards resulting from a review will be consulted on publicly before a decision is taken on whether or not to make the revisions.