HL Deb 02 December 2002 vol 641 cc79-80WA
Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that the National Care Standards Commission regulates minimum standards for contracts between private care homes and residents. [HL133]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Regulation 5 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 requires all care home providers to produce a service user's guide, within which there should be a standard form of contract for the provision of services and facilities by the registered provider to service users.

Compliance with these and other regulatory requirements is examined and reported upon by the National Care Standards Commission.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of elderly people requiring residential care are in private care homes. [HL134]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

This information is not available centrally. At 31 March 2001, 84 per cent of residential care home places for people aged 65 and over were in independent care homes in England.