Care home staff must be trained insists minister: Pensioners must not be left with staff 'who have no idea what they're doing' Care home staff will have to undergo compulsory training for the first time under Government plans to protect the elderly. Health Minister Norman Lamb said the lack of basic requirements for training care workers was leaving pensioners in the hands of staff who have "no idea what they are doing." Proposals expected in the next month will outline national minimum standards for training new recruits to work in nursing homes to protect the elderly from abuse and neglect. Care home staff will have to undergo compulsory training for the first time (posed) Carers who help with tasks such as washing and dressing elderly people in their own homes will also be required to have the training. Mr Lamb, the Liberal Democrat care minister, said it was not acceptable that there were no "clear standards of the training that must happen in a care home." He told the Daily Telegraph: "I would not want a loved one of mine - or indeed myself - to be cared for by someone who has no training." He pointed out that although criminal prosecutions take place in the "most outrageous" cases of abuse, wider reforms are needed to improve the basic quality of care for elderly people. The lack of basic requirements for training care workers was leaving pensioners in the hands of staff who have ¿no idea what they are doing¿ said a government minister Mr Lamb said he did not want to create "a tickbox" culture, adding: "But the bottom line is, I don't want a loved one being looked after by someone who has really no idea what they are doing." Campaigners said staff should have training in dispensing medication, the basics of nutrition and hydration and using equipment such as hoists and lifts. They should also be trained in how to treat patients with dignity and respect. The proposals follow a number of scandals at care homes across the country, including Winterbourne View which was closed down after an investigation found that members of staff were abusing disabled adults. Last week, a YouGov poll of 2,000 adults commissioned by the Alzheimer's Society showed 70 per cent say they would be fairly or very scared of going into a care home. In addition, 64 per cent do not feel the sector is doing enough to tackle abuse in homes. A total of 53 per cent said their biggest concern if a relative went into care would be the risk of them being abused. Only 30 per cent thought those with dementia in homes were generally treated well. The news comes after Robert Francis QC last month told how hospital staff caring for the most vulnerable patients have less training for their job and face fewer checks than bouncers or minicab drivers. He said healthcare assistants have only "a few hours training" before being "let loose" on patients.The QC warned there was nothing to stop a worker found totally unfit at one hospital being employed by another. He urged the Health Service to make a number of key changes to improve care and ensure hospitals and staff are rigorously checked. They included making healthcare assistants undergo basic training before allowing them on wards.