§ Mr. AlexanderTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of employees providing nursing care in residential and nursing homes who have recognised nursing qualifications. [123079]
§ Mr. HuttonThe table provides details of the number of nursing staff employed in private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics.
Number of whole-time equivalent nursing staff in private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics England 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997 Number of nursing staff (WTE) Of which qualified nursing staff (WTE) All establishments1 136,650 51,230 General and mental nursing homes1 127,280 43,570 Private hospitals and clinics 9,370 7,660 1Includes those in dual registered homes Source:
KO36 form
510W
§ Mr. AlexanderTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure high quality of care in residential and nursing homes in the United Kingdom. [123080]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are reforming the regulatory arrangements for residential care and nursing homes. The Care Standards Bill, which covers England and Wales, will establish a National Care Standards Commission for England to regulate all care homes to national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of care and protection for vulnerable people. In Wales, the National Assembly will take on the same regulatory functions as the Commission.
In Scotland there will be a Scottish Care Commission regulating services on a broadly similar basis to that in England.
The specific arrangements for Northern Ireland will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly to decide in due course.