GUIDANCE ON FREE PERSONAL AND NURSING CARE IN SCOTLAND 2003

Annex A: Annotated extract: Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002

SCHEDULE 1

3 SOCIAL CARE NOT ORDINARILY CHARGED FOR

[Whether or not personal care (see section 1(1)(a) or personal support (see 1(1)(b)]

1 As regards the personal hygiene of the person cared for-

(a) shaving;
(b) cleaning teeth (whether or not they are artificial) by means of a brush or dental floss and (in the case of artificial teeth) by means of soaking;
(c) providing assistance in rinsing the mouth;
(d) keeping finger nails and toe nails trimmed;
(e) assisting the person with going to the toilet or with using a bedpan or other receptacle;
(f) where the person is fitted with a catheter or stoma, providing such assistance as is requisite to ensure cleanliness and that the skin is kept in a favourable hygienic condition;
(g) where the person is incontinent-

(i) the consequential making of the person's bed and consequential changing and laundering of the person's bedding and clothing; and
(ii) caring for the person's skin to ensure that it is not adversely affected.

2 As regards the person's eating requirements-

(a) assisting with the preparation of food;
(b) assisting in the fulfilment of special dietary needs.

[Eating and washing is explicitly included within the definition of personal care (see 1(1)(a)]

3 If the person is immobile or substantially immobile, dealing with the problems of that immobility.

4 If the person requires medical treatment, assisting with medication, as for example by-

(a) applying creams or lotions
(b) administering eye drops;
(c) applying dressings in cases where this can be done without the physical involvement of a registered nurse or of a medical practitioner;
(d) assisting with the administration of oxygen as part of a course of therapy.

5 With regard to the person's general well-being-

(a) assisting with getting dressed;
(b) assisting with surgical appliances, prosthesis and mechanical and manual equipment;
(c) assisting with getting up and with going to bed;
(d) the provision of devices to help memory and of safety devices;
(e) behaviour management and psychological support.

[Counselling, or other help, provided as part of a planned programme of care is explicitly included within the definition of personal support (see 1(1)(b)]