§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what criteria exist to determine whether or not a registration certificate for a private old people's home is granted;
(2) what controls his Department has over the standards of nursing and care in privately run old people's homes.
§ Mr. MoyleRegulation of private old people's homes is carried out through registration and inspection of the homes by local social services authorities under powers laid down in sections 37 to 40 of the National Assistance Act 1948. In deciding whether or not to register a person proposing to run such a home, a local authority will have regard to the conditions laid down in section 37(3)(a)-(c) of the Act. The facilities and services which the managers of registered homes must provide are set out in detail in the National Assistance (Conduct of Homes) Regulations 1962, made under section 40 of the National Assistance Act.