§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to strengthen the regulation of private care homes for the elderly. [132705]
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§ Mr. HuttonIn November 1998 we published our White Paper, "Modernising Social Services" which included our plans for reforming the regulation of care homes. The Care Standards Act brings about these reforms.
We will establish an independent National Care Standards Commission to regulate statutory and independent sector care services in accordance with national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of life and level of protection for the most vulnerable people in society. The Commission will be accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. It will be responsible for the registration and inspection of all residential care and nursing homes, including those for older people. The Commission is expected to be fully operational by April 2002.