§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the regulatory bodies in the(a) NHS social care and (b) private health social care spheres. [15274]
§ Mr. HuttonLocal authorities are responsible for the regulation of residential care homes provided by national health service trusts. Both local authorities and health authorities are currently responsible for the regulation of private health social care services depending on whether personal care, nursing care or both are provided in such settings. This responsibility will be taken over by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) from 1 April 2002. NHS care homes providing nursing come within the scope of the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI). We expect the NCSC and CHI to work together to ensure that consistent standards are applied across these services.