The executive will hold talks with care home owners

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) survey revealed staff feel a lack of funding is undermining their work.

A previous independent report showed there was a �61 weekly shortfall per resident within the industry.

The RCN also said warned that half of the nurses working in care homes could retire in the next five years.

The Scottish Executive said it has invested "substantial resources" in the sector and while the issue of pay and conditions in the private sector is a matter for employers, it is due to have discussions with owners regarding future fees.

RCN Scottish board chair Jane McCready said: "When asked what would improve the quality of care for residents, one of the most common answers was the introduction of realistic care home fees.

We will shortly have discussions with care home owners regarding new fee levels from 2005 onwards Scottish Executive spokeswoman

"Nurses see this as fundamental to getting the quality right for patients.

"For too long we have had a gap between what care costs to provide and the money given to care homes to provide that care.

"This needs to change. Fees paid to homes must meet the cost of providing high quality care."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said: "The pay and conditions of private sector care home staff is primarily a matter for their employers.

"However, the executive has committed substantial resources in recent years to bring care home fees to a level agreed by both local authorities and private sector care home owners.

"We will shortly have discussions with care home owners regarding new fee levels from 2005 onwards.

'Newly qualified staff'

"All care homes are subject to National Care Standards which state that the number of trained staff should be sufficient to meet the care needs of residents."

The RCN found that just under half of nurses working in care homes were found to be over 50 and set for retirement in the next five years.

Commenting on the ageing workforce, RCN Scotland director James Kennedy said: "We must encourage more newly qualified staff to work for care homes as well as ensuring all care homes have specialist nurses in the care of older people.

"One way to do this is by ensuring nurses get the right rewards for their work.

"It is disappointing but not surprising that only 34% of nurses feel their salary reflects the work they do."