§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to merge the National Care Standards Commission and the Commission for Health Improvement. [38677]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 28 February 2002]: We have said that there should be closer working, and over time, organisational integration between the National Care Standards Commission, the Commission for Health Improvement, and other bodies so that health and social care services are subject to a common set of standards whether they are provided by public, private or voluntary sector organisations.
We will take further steps at the earliest opportunity to rationalise the number of bodies inspecting and regulating health and social care.