§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will specify which forms of restraint in care homes are(a) acceptable and (b) unacceptable to his Department; and what guidance has been given to registration officers.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyResidents of residential care homes have a right to dignity, independence and choice.
The Residential Care Homes Regulations require that the owners and managers of homes should both safeguard and promote the welfare of residents and take proper account of their wishes and feelings. This is emphasised in "Home Life"—a code of practice for residential care published in 1984 and endorsed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. This is also emphasised in "Homes are for Living In", the social services inspectorate's model for evaluating care and the quality of life in homes for the elderly, and the inspectorate's current series of standards publications relating to homes for other client groups.
This guidance has been made available to those running homes and to local authority inspectors. Copies are also available in the Library.