§ 14. Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on registration and inspection procedures for nursing and residential homes. [15798]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonA project is under way to produce national standards for the inspection and registration of nursing homes to assist health boards in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. A Scottish Office working group is also reviewing registration and inspection procedures for residential homes, and will be reporting shortly.
§ Ms SquireWhat specific action does the Minister intend, and what additional resources will he provide, to ensure that vigorous and effective inspection procedures have been established by 1 April, when the new councils come into effect? Will he encourage all councils and, indeed, health boards to follow Fife's example, and establish joint inspection units dealing with both residential and nursing homes?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office and health board general managers working groups are 885 considering the possibility of joint registration of establishments. We give guidance to local authorities, including guidance to enable them to fulfil responsibilities. As for resources, I am glad to report that more than £65 million has been allocated for spending on residential and nursing homes in 1996–97, and that an additional £39.5 million will be added to the DSS transfer to local authorities for the continuation of community care 886 responsibilities. The total is expected to be around £300 million, most of which is expected to be spent on the residential sector.
§ Mr. DalyellOn a point of order, Madam Speaker.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. Points of order are dealt with after statements.