Nursing home operators could face a $10,000 fine for keeping inadequate records, failing to ensure a safe environment for the residents or any one of a host of other requirements being proposed by the Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

Mr. Bascome tabled regulations governing nursing homes on Friday - almost two years after laws were passed allowing him to do so.

The Senate passed The Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes Act 1999 in August of that year.

The law effectively laid the groundwork for the Health Minister to set and enforce standards for the care of the elderly in the Island's 21 care homes.

The regulations tabled on Friday include minimum requirements, and qualification standards, for nursing home staff, facilities and record keeping.

They also impose safety standards and detailed requirements for the physical premises.

The regulations mandate a minimum staffing ratio of one for every ten residents, not counting part time staff.

Nursing home operators who breach the regulations are liable to a $10,000 fine.