§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in respect of nursing homes and community-based settings, the Commission for Health Improvement or the Care Standards Commission will have responsibility for policing the standards of care provided to NHS patients in receipt of intermediate care. [122795]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 May 2000]The Commission for Health Improvement has responsibility for reviewing the quality of healthcare, including intermediate care, provided to National Health Service patients wherever they are treated. The Care Standards 403W Bill, currently before Parliament, will establish the National Care Standards Commission which will be responsible for regulating care homes and nursing homes. The Bill will introduce measures to enable the two bodies to work co-operatively and carry out these responsibilities in an effective way.