Tonight I went to a relatives' meeting at the care home. "It's the first one we've had ...for well...ages, but the manager is good about these things", explained a member of staff.

The meeting was well attended and included about half a dozen residents. The attendance level was notable, precisely, I think, because it was the first meeting that most people have experienced for a very long time. Everyone was offered refreshments and biscuits then we settled down to hear what was happening within the establishment.

Process, systems training and management was covered, so was specialised training for nursing staff, some of it sounded quite exciting. One major dementia support project had been put on hold by the care company. Care staff were guided in lifting and handling with the use of CD roms. Presumably, that's induction training for everyone working in the care home.

The Care Commission's report marking system showed that the home was doing some things well but others could be done a lot better. Areas like activity out of the precincts of the care home were few and far between.

There had been criticism about nutrition, appearance and warmth of food when served. Communicating with relatives, (the meeting this evening being a case in point) was another element to be improved. These issues did need addressing, they have been mumbled about for some time.

Champion systems were in place; one of the cooks had taken a cooking course. Nursing staff had a specialist interest each; drugs usage and application, infection control and so on. I wondered who measured the efficacy of championing especially when a particular champion was not working for a period of time?

It sounded like there were some good building blocks being put in place, I hope they are developed. But, the non-nursing care staff who are in greater numbers, also need development and training and we did not hear anything about that.

Effective communication between staff and staff, staff and resident and staff and family is a skills area that has to be kept constantly sharp, if it is not, problems will undoubtedly arise.

The best bit was afterwards, when in personal discussion with a nurse I know, we got some ideas on how to painlessly chat with someone who is talking back about the far ancestry, as if it is current stuff.