HC Deb 08 March 1991 vol 187 cc323-4W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his policy on allowing registration of private residential and nursing homes which refuse admission to residents who require income support to pay for their care;

(2) what information he has on how many registered private residential or nursing homes currently refuse admission to residents who require income support to pay for their care.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have no information about how many homes refuse admission to people requiring income support. Local authorities and health authorities are the registering authorities under the Registered Homes Act 1984. The Act sets out the criteria which enable a registration authority to refuse an application for registration. The admission of people who rely on income support is not among the criteria. There are no plans to seek amendment of the Act in this respect.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist to determine whether those in nursing homes in receipt of income support top-up payments towards the costs of nursing care are actually receiving nursing care.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The person responsible for a nursing home has a statutory duty to provide adequate facilities and services to meet the care needs of their patients. District health authorities must inspect each home at least twice a year to ensure that this requirement is met.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most recent guidance issued to registration authorities with regard to privacy in residential care and nursing homes; and if he has any proposals to issue further guidance.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The question of privacy is dealt with in the 1989 social services inspectorate guidance "Homes are for Living In" and is also being covered in the current publications in the "Caring for Quality" series, of which three have already been issued and a further two are to follow. Copies will be placed in the Library. The Department's caring in homes initiative will reinforce the emphasis on good practice in residential care homes.