§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has not formally directed health authorities to conform with "Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes: A Handbook for Health Authorities".
§ Mr. WhitneyThat would have been inappropriate. As the preface to the handbook makes clear, its purpose is twofold: to provide advice to health authorities on their responsibilities in relation to registration and inspection of nursing homes, and to provide model guidelines, which can be adapted to meet local needs, to assist health authorities in carrying out their duties.