HC Deb 01 May 1990 vol 171 cc515-6W
14. Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to bring forward legislation requiring the registration of homes with fewer than four residents.

24. Mr. Bidwell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to bring forward legislation requiring the registration of homes with fewer than four residents.

87. Mr. Buckley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to bring forward legislation requiring the registration of homes with fewer than four residents.

133. Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to bring forward legislation requiring the registration of homes with fewer than four residents.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

As I said on Report of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill, we will seek a legislative opportunity to bring homes with fewer than four residents under control. I cannot at present say when that opportunity may occur.

25. Mr. John P. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals requiring the disclosure of criminal convictions by persons who are, or intend to become, proprietors, managers or care staff in private residential or nursing homes.

62. Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals requiring the disclosure of criminal convictions by persons who are, or intend to become, proprietors, managers or care staff in private residential or nursing homes.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave the hon. Members for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Turner) and for Wigan (Mr. Stott) earlier today.

36. Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to extend the powers of health authorities to allow them to make top-up payments to residents of private and voluntary nursing homes over retirement age.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have no such plans. Topping up would be contrary to a basic principle of the National Health Service to meet the full cost of a patient's care unless there is a specific power to charge, for example for prescriptions.

The White Paper "Caring for People" published in November last year proposes the introduction of a new funding structure for those seeking help from public funds for the cost of care. From 1 April 1991 there will be a single budget to cover the cost of such care, whether in a person's own home or in a residential or nursing home. We propose that local authorities should, subject to qualification, assume responsibility for meeting the cost of care, making the best use of those funds available in the light of an assessment of an individual's needs.

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