Care Homes (Hansard, 14 October 2002)

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to allow new care homes to be commissioned before a full inspection takes place while there is a backlog of registrations and bed shortages; and if he will make a statement; [72078]

(2) what the average waiting time is between a new care home seeking a registration for the purposes of the care home regulations and an inspection taking place; [72079]

(3) what priority is given to new establishments seeking first registration for the purpose of the care home regulations; and if he will make a statement; [72076]

(4) how many new establishments are awaiting a first registration for the purposes of the care home regulations; and if he will make a statement. [72077]

§ Jacqui Smith
[holding answer 24 July 2002]The National Care Standards Commission is currently processing three types of registration application; (i) applications made under the previous regulatory authority and transferred to the Commission as a part-processed application; (ii) applications made to the Commission since 1 April 2002; and (iii) applications from existing homes previously exempt from registration. The first two categories of application are treated as a priority.
New care homes cannot operate legally unless and until they have completed the registration process to the satisfaction of the Commission, including the filing of appropriate documentation, reference checking, site visits and interviews to confirm the fitness of the home and its managers. The process can take three to four months and ensures the protection of vulnerable adults and children. A home will be inspected twice per year: once during an announced inspection and once during an unannounced inspection. There is no connection between the time a home completes the registration process and is inspected—this will depend on individual area office inspection programmes.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much correspondence his Department has received from(a) care home owners and (b) hon. Members with regard to delays in the vetting of care home staff applications by the Criminal Records Bureau. [71042]
478W

§ Jacqui Smith
[holding answer 18 July 2002]The Department received eight letters concerning delays by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in processing applications for criminal records checks. Of these one was from a care home provider and seven were from hon. Members.
Measures are being taken to overcome the early operating difficulties experienced by the CRB, which have led to delays in responding to applications for disclosures. We are determined that the CRB will be in a position as soon as possible to meet the high standards of service that it has made clear it will deliver to its customers. The short-term implications for particular service areas using the CRB service are being closely monitored.

§ Mr. Andrew Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those care standards for care homes which take effect in each year from 2002. [68444]

§ Jacqui Smith
The national minimum standards for care homes apply from 1 April 2002, unless otherwise stated in any standard. Those standards which have not already come into force or will not apply to provision which existed before 1 April 2002 are as follows:
Care homes for older people
20.1: Will not apply to pre-existing provision until 1 April 2007
21.5: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
23.2: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
23.3: Will not apply to pre-existing provision until 1 April 2007
23.4: Will not apply to pre-existing provision until 1 April 2007
23.10: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
23.11: Will not apply to preexisting provision until I April 2007
25.3: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
27.3: Will not fully apply to pre-existing provision before 1 April
2003, following statutory guidance issues by Ministers
28.1: Applies from 2005
31.2: Applies from 2005
Care homes for younger adults (18–65)
24.3: Will not apply to pre-existing provision until 1 April 2007
24.11: Disability Discrimination Act Part 3 requirements do not apply until 1 April 2004
25.3: Will not apply to pre-existing provision until 1 April 2007
25.5.ii: Applies from 1 April 2004
25.6: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
25.8: Will not apply to pre-existing provision
27.2: Applies from 1 April 2004
27.4: Applies from 1 April 2004
32.6: Applies from 2005
32.7: Applies from 1 April 2005
35.5: Does not apply fully until 2004
37.2.ii: Applies from 2005
37.2.iii: Applies from 2005
Care homes for children
24.6: Does not apply fully until 2003
29.4: Applies from January 2004
29.5: Applies from January 2005
34.3: Does not apply fully until January 2005
However, in the light of continuing concern about the possible impact of certain standards, we believe it is right to look again at those physical environment standards which are the most demanding in terms of changes to the fabric of the home.
479W
A consultation document was issued on 16 August. This covers national standards for care home for both older people and younger adults (18–65). The amendments proposed in the consultation document would change a number of standards so that pre-existing care homes will not be expected to meet higher standards than those they already meet or met on 1 April 2002.
The standards proposed for amendment are as follows:
Care homes for older people
1.2: users' guide
20.1/20.4: communal space
21.3: assisted baths
22.2: passenger lifts
22.5: doorways
23.3/23.4: single room floor space
23.11: single rooms
Care homes for younger adults
1.2: users' guide
24.2: living space
24.9: wheelchair access
25.3: single rooms
25.5: shared bedrooms
27.2/27.4: toilets & bathrooms
28.2: shared space
In addition, as part of the consultation, we will accept views on other standards that relate to environmental issues. In line with Government policy all national standards will be reviewed within three years of their introduction.