§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to stop elderly patients being evicted from private nursing homes because they cannot meet the extra charges imposed by the owners of the private homes.
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§ Mr. Michael ForsythResponsibility for the board and lodging limits under income support lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security who announced on 28 March new limits for both residential and nursing homes which will mean £45 million of additional payments being made to residents this year. My right hon. Friend is also currently reviewing the general structure and level of these limits.
§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited a private nursing home in Scotland to meet elderly patients; whether he discussed the shortfall in charges between the Government's set limit and the extra charge imposed by the private home for their accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy right hon. and learned Friend visited Newark Lodge nursing home for the elderly in Glasgow on 26 February 1990. During his visit he took the opportunity to discuss a range of topics with both staff and residents.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current number of(a) private nursing homes and (b) public nursing homes in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole; and what is the number of inspectors to check the standards of care and facilities in nursing homes in (i), (ii) and (iii).
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere are no public nursing homes in Scotland. The information on private nursing homes, as at 31 March 1989, is as follows:
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Number Inverclyde 3 Strathclyde 125 Scotland 270 The registration and inspection of private nursing homes are the responsibility of health boards and information on the number of staff engaged on these functions is not held centrally.