§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the progress made by placing authorities in reviewing placements at Stoke Place and Stoke Green House, residential care homes operated by Longcare Ltd; [20600]
(2) what conclusions have been drawn by her Department from the investigation by Buckinghamshire county council social services department inspection unit conducted in the period November 1993 to June 1994 of Stoke Place and Stoke Green House; and what account has been taken of these conclusions in the formulation of a new circular to local authorities on the regulation of residential care homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984; [20602]
(3) if she will list the local authorities that have residents in Stoke Place and Stoke Green House; and if she will give the number of placements by each at 30 June 1994 and at present. [20601]
Mr. BowlsThe social services inspectorate is continuing to keep in close contact with Buckinghamshire social services department on developments in the care of residents placed in homes operated by Longcare Ltd. The assessment and placing of residents is a matter for the authorities concerned. Information is not collected centrally on the authorities in relation to which placements in specific homes are made. The social services inspectorate will shortly begin a routine formal inspection of Buckinghamshire's inspection unit to check on the unit's effectiveness.