Can a carer cut a client’s fingernails?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Christine,

Thank you for your question.

The first is that if it is expected that the fingernails should be trimmed then this should be identified in the care plan.

The carer should be identified as being competent to carry out the task.

In some cases it might be that the nails should be filed rather than clipped but this is a matter for each individual client’s risk assessment.

There should be a policy in place. That policy should identify what equipment should be used, by this I mean that the appropriate equipment should be used i.e. no scissors.

I would not expect that toenails would be cut by a carer.

I hope this is helpful but it remains essential that the appropriate process is followed to mitigate risk to the service user.

Best wishes.

Sheila