The calls for a new code originally came from a letter to the Daily Telegraph, signed by twenty one public figures including care minister Paul Burstow and his Labour shadow, Liz Kendall, the Royal College of Nursing, AGE UK and the care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The group are demanding for care homes, hospitals and other institutions to agree a set of standards of care for the first time to reduce the number of abuse and neglect cases in the UK. If approved, supporters hope that care workers could eventually see the new code written within their contracts.

A dignity code will require care workers and nurses to obtain consent for treatments and demands that elderly people are allowed to speak for themselves, either directly, or in cases where this is no longer possible, through a relative or close friend.

It will also require care home staff to address older people formally rather than by their first name, unless they are invited to do otherwise.

The calls follow a string of care home scandals involving countless abuse of elderly and disabled residents and comes at a time when funding of elderly care is under intense scrutiny.

Managing Director at Precision Claims, Simon Thompson stated, 'From listening to our clients, the standards of respect for elderly people have substantially deteriorated over recent years to the stage that neglect is even taken for granted.

'In some extreme cases we have heard of instances of elderly people deprived of basic privacy and respect, being subjected to physical harm and enduring complete disregard for their health and hygiene. We hope these new codes will improve the way carers relate to elderly people around the country as well as setting out how pensioners expect to be treated within a care home.'

Fortunately the CQC has also commissioned as many as five hundred care home inspections across the country in the coming weeks ensuring basic standards of care are being well maintained. A similar programme of inspections in the NHS last year found that almost half of hospitals were failing to feed elderly patients properly and dignity was lacking in care at 40% of hospitals.

Precision Claims offers help and advice for those who have been mistreated or neglected within a care home to gain financial compensation. If you would like more information about making a care home abuse claim visit the company's website at http://www.precisionclaims.co.uk or call today for a free enquiry on 0844 704 1945.