Scotland’s care regulator the Care Commission, in partnership with My Home Life and Connect in Care projects, is encouraging health and social care staff to use an innovative learning network which allows them to share expertise on the care of older people.

The Care Home Learning Network – Improving Care for Older People is the first network of its kind that connects care home and NHS staff across Scotland to promote and share good practice and developments.

It has more than 200 useful resources to support health and social care staff and it signposts other websites including practice development sites. The network also hosts discussion forums and posts information on relevant events.

Susan Polding-Clyde, Nurse Consultant for Older People at the Care Commission, is fronting a drive to ensure more health and social care staff understand how the network can benefit their daily working lives.

She said: “The network is an absolutely fantastic resource for those working in the care sectors. It offers the opportunity to share thoughts, expertise and practice developments that will in turn enrich the care that older people receive. If someone develops an innovative practice in Aberdeen then we want to share that with staff in the Borders and Highlands and islands.

“I believe that once health and social care staff get into the routine of using this great resource it will really impact on their day-to-day thinking.  And if that happens, this can only mean an even better service for our ever-growing elderly population.

“The resource is very simple to use. After registering your details and being sent a password you can start using the material right away. There is also a number on the Care Commission website for people to call if they need any help.”

The Care Home Learning Network is part of the NHS Education Scotland e-library network and can be accessed through the Care Commission’s homepage. It shares the space with My Home Life and Connect in Care, two projects that also support services for staff working in the NHS and care homes.  The Care Commission has published a new leaflet to help raise awareness of the network.

The Care Commission was established in 2002 and regulates more than 950 care homes for older people in Scotland.