§ Mr. Fieldasked the Paymaster General what responses he has had from his "Lifting the Burden" consultation exercise in respect of deregulating private nursing homes; if he will publish details of the organisations contacted and their responses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierIn February, the enterprise and deregulation unit wrote to a wide variety of business organisations, local authority associations and others about 65 licensing requirements imposed by central Government. Views were invited on the extent and nature of the burdens placed on businesses and enforcing authorities by these requirements. Of the 130 responses received, the following included comments on the registration and inspection requirements for residential care and nursing homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984 and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984:
- — Association of County Councils
- — Association of Metropolitan Authorities
- — British Federation of Care Home Proprietors
- — Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- — Child Care
- — City of London Corporation
- — Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine
- — Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas
- — Enterprise Agency of East Kent
- — Independent Hospital Group
- — London Boroughs Association
- — National Union of Marine Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers
- — Registered Nursing Home Association
- — Royal College of Pathologists
There was widespread support for stringent controls of residential care and nursing homes and indeed several respondents proposed tighter controls. These responses are being carefully considered by the Department of 27W Health and Social Security in conjunction with the enterprise and deregulation unit. If it appears that changes in the regulations would be desirable, there will be further consultation with the business and other organisations most closely concerned. The Government have, however, no plans to remove controls governing residential care or nursing homes.