§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will publish proposals on the regulation of health care assistants. [152828]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Government are committed to consult on proposals to regulate health care support staff, which will include health care assistants, and this consultation will be taking place in the near future. The consultation will identify those categories of staff whose clinical practice needs to be of a high standard in order to ensure patient safety. The proposals include a range of options including full statutory regulation for these staff and the Government will decide on the way forward in light of the responses to the consultation.