Mental Handicap (Hansard, 26 July 1990)

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what requirements a health board, social work department or any other relevant body employs in respect of the assessments of the suitability of(a) the owner, (b) the manager and (c) anyone holding a position of responsibility in a private nursing home for those suffering from mental handicaps.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
The registration and inspection of private nursing homes are the responsibility of health boards and are governed by the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 and the regulations made thereunder, the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Regulations 1988.
Health boards may refuse to register an applicant if they are satisfied that he, or any person employed by him at the home, is not a fit person, whether by reason of age, conduct or otherwise.
586W

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will undertake a review of the arrangements by which the suitability of persons engaged in the ownership and management of private nursing homes for people with mental handicaps are assessed and monitored; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
No. I am satisfied with the current arrangements whereby under the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 health boards have a responsibility for assessing the suitability of applicants for registration to run a nursing home and their employees.

§ Dr. Godman
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessments health boards and other relevant bodies are required to make in the event of(a) a change of ownership and (b) a change of management in respect of a privately owned nursing home for those with mental handicaps.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
The registration and inspection of private nursing homes are governed by the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 and the regulations made thereunder, the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Regulations 1988.
In the case of a change of ownership a fresh application for registration must be made to the health board.
Where the management changes the change must be notified within 72 hours to the health board, which requires to be satisfied that the person employed is a fit person by reason of age, conduct, qualification or otherwise.