§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 18 June,Official Report, column 759 if he will describe the steps taken to ensure that health boards carry out their statutory duty to inspect nursing homes at least twice a year, and that the person registered actually does provide or make arrangements for the provision of medical serices for residents; and how many nursing homes have had adverse reports since the statutory requirements came into force.
§ Mr. StewartHealth boards have a statutory responsibility, under the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 as amended, to visit and inspect all nursing homes in their area at least twice a year. If that duty is not carried out, the health board is in contravention of section 4(3) of the Act. Details of registration and inspection visits are contained in health board annual reports.
It is the responsibility of the health board registration and inspection team to ensure that the person registered provides, or makes provision for, medical services for residents. Nursing home residents are entitled to receive the same range of NHS services as they would expect to receive in their own homes.
539WInformation is not collected centrally about nursing homes who receive adverse reports. It is for health boards to take action on homes which require to improve their standards.