Is there some kind of regulation regarding a minimum distance between a patient's bed and a wall in a nursing home?

Cheeky beggar. If he's going to block your request with Healthandsafety regulations then it's for HIM to get to grips with the issue and find a way to make his resident feel secure in her own bed. Can't believe the nerve and idleness of these people.

Still. You might be able to find books of regulations on your state or county's website: I'd start digging there.

By the way, though - I'd have thought the regulations actually stem from protecting workers. There has to be minimum space for them to work in when they're moving patients or changing bed linen, otherwise they tend to stress their backs. Is the bed on wheels? Is there plenty of space to move it out from the wall when your relative's not in it?

Good luck getting this one solved, it's worth a bit of a battle at least :)

Could she use a "pointer stick" to get around all the problems?

Buy her a pointer.

This goes hand in hand with the regulations against allowing rails and it seems as though the rules are often applied arbitrarily according to how strictly area inspectors and facility administrators choose to interpret them. In the mean time do you think could she make due with an easel set beside the bed?

I found this, courtesy of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform:

Accommodation of Needs
A resident has the right to reside and receive services in the facility with reasonable accommodations of individual needs and preferences.(5) The facility should attempt to adapt such things as schedules, call systems, staff assignments and room arrangements to accommodate residents’ preferences, desires and unique needs.(6) ...

If language or communication barriers exist between residents and staff, the nursing home is required to use interpreters or other measures to ensure adequate communication.(8)

http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/nh_fs/html/fs_CareStandards.html (See the footnotes for references to US or California code.)

That said, I haven't looked at the actual California code for nursing home room arrangements and bed placement. Your best bet is to request a copy of the state law from the administrator. If it's such a big issue, he or she should be able to recite it chapter and verse from memory AND provide a copy.

If they are adamant about keeping the bed away from the wall, you may want to consider making up a "booklet" for your relative to use when she has a request. If she does not have visual acuity or reading comprehension problems, you could print pages with written requests, or pictures of the service/activity requested, laminate them (or place them in document protector sheets), and fasten them together with a key ring or other device. She could then keep her booklet on top of her coverlet, on her bed table, or in her nightstand drawer, whichever is easiest for her to reach depending on her level of mobility.

Or get spiral-bound index cards and block print her various instructions on them, and she can simply flip to the card she needs at the time. This method will, of course, also depend on her visual acuity and fine motor skills.

Best of luck with this. In all of my years of caregiving, I've learned how to get inventive.

Let me relay an experience I had. One morning I came into the room a little earlier than norm. In less than thirty minutes I had six nurses surrounding DW and working like crazy on her. If her bed had been up against the wall , it would have had to be moved before they could accomplish their task. And all of the accessories would have to be on one side of the bed. Hoses and wires, etc. Checking bp on one side while administering meds on the other side.

In some cases it may be considered a "restraint"
But these can be worked around I would look for the specific wording in the codes and determine if being against 1 wall (2 actually if you think of the headboard if there is one or the wall if the head of the bed is against another wall)
But if the notes are her means of communication I do not think they can take a way a patients means of communication so this might be "an exception to the rule" and it might have to be approved in writing.
Ask for a copy of the regulations where it states that a bed can not be placed against the wall. I am sure it will not specifically say that but it is an interpretation. They should have a copy of "Minimum Standards" on site if not I am sure you can get it on line.
Personal opinion here but California can go a little overboard with some of the regulations...some are great some can make things more difficult.

Try putting her message board on a clipboard instead of the wall. If her bed is next to the wall, she may stay in that sidelying position too long.

Talk to the Ombudsman for the facility. Their contact information must be posted...it’s probably on a bulletin board somewhere or ask the admin assistant. They will be able to do the research for you (probably know the regulations by heart) and can help you figure this out.

Speak to the Ombudsman.