§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to empower community health councils to inspect private nursing homes to which National Health Service patients are discharged; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieCommunity health councils were set up to advise on the operation of the National Health Service in their districts. Community health councils have a statutory right to visit NHS hospital premises. Private nursing homes are outside the NHS and a statutory right to visit these does not exist. However it has been agreed with representations of the private health sector that CHCs should have access to appropriate parts of premises where NHS patients receive services under contractual arrangements. We have no plans to introduce legislation.