§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present number of(a) private nursing homes and (b) publicly owned nursing homes; and what is the number of inspectors to check the standards of care and facilities in nursing homes.
§ Mr. FreemanCentrally collected data do not distinguish between hospitals and nursing homes registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. By deducting the number of premises with operating theatres (that is, hospitals) from the total number of premises registered, a figure of about 3,000 nursing homes can be obtained for the year ending 31 March 1989.
Figures on publicly owned nursing homes are not held centrally. The Government consider continuous nursing care services to be an integral part of NHS provision for those people who require them. However, the actual level of service to be provided by a health authority is a matter for that authority to decide for itself based on local needs and practice.
Figures for the number of inspectors of nursing homes and hospitals are not held centrally. Registration and inspection is delegated to district health authorities. It is for each health authority to decide the number of inspectors required, taking into account local circumstances. Authorities must inspect each home or hospital at least twice a year.