article_snippet: Updated guidance published yesterday insists that calls last for at least 30 minutes if they are offering personal care such as washing or dressing.
article_snippet: The advice, published by NHS spending watchdog NICE, said 15-minute drop-ins should only be considered in certain cases such as checking if someone has taken 15-minute drop-ins medication.
article_snippet: Last month a Mail investigation revealed that 70 per cent of councils are still allocating visits of just 15 minutes – with six authorities offering 200,000 slots of just five minutes.
article_snippet: Some staff were even told not to chat because it wastes time, while visitors are sometimes poorly trained contractors or ill-suited to the job.
article_snippet: However, the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said money was just too short to end 15-minute care visits once and for all.
highlights_snippet: Personal care appointments for washing or dressing must be 30 minutes .
  
highlights_snippet: 15-minute drop-ins only appropriate for checking medication taken .
  