§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals she has for amendments to legislation concerning the regulation and inspection of residential care and nursing homes; when such proposals will be published; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what proposals she has to issue new guidance or amend existing regulations concerning the regulation and inspection of residential care and nursing homes; when the proposals will be published; and if she will make a statement;
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§ Mr. BowisThe Department is discussing those matters with regulatory and provider interests. We will consult more widely if, in due course, we have specific proposals for improving regulation and inspection processes while retaining safeguards for vulnerable residents.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps will be taken to ensure the suitability of the lay assessors proposed for the monitoring of residential care.
§ Mr. BowisThe recruitment and selection of lay assessors, and the terms on which they are engaged, are matters in which authorities are free to use their discretion. However, the Department's policy guidance emphasises the need for authorities to satisfy themselves about the suitability of the people they engage. Copies of the guidance, LAC(94)16, will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent research has been undertaken into the operation of the Registered Homes Act 1984, as amended; and in what way this is being taken into account during her review of this Act.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to monitor and evaluate the cost of inspection and regulation of residential care and nursing homes.
§ Mr. BowisLocal authorities and health authorities provide information annually on their costs in registering and inspecting residential care homes and nursing homes respectively. Those costs are kept under review by the Department.