HC Deb 14 February 1995 vol 254 cc644-5W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards exist to ensure proper standards of domiciliary care; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bowis

The social services inspectorate published guidelines "Developing Quality Standards for Home Support Services" in October 1993, copies of which are available in the Library. A code of practice is produced by the United Kingdom Home Care Association, by which all its members are expected to abide, and the Joint Advisory Group of Domiciliary Care Associations produced a document "A Framework for the Development of Standards for the Delivery of Domiciliary Care" last July. Local authorities who purchase domiciliary care from independent providers are able to include specific standards in their contract specifications, and should monitor compliance with them.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received domiciliary care in 1993–94; and how many are estimated to need domiciliary care in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98.

Mr. Bowis

In a sample week in September 1993, there were an estimated total of 512,600 households in England receiving home help or home care.

Estimates are not made for future years.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to monitor the number of independent sector agencies providing domiciliary care.

Mr. Bowis

None.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are undertaken to monitor the suitability of domiciliary care provided to individuals who purchase such care directly from private agencies or individuals.

Mr. Bowis

Domiciliary care agencies are subject to the provisions of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.