§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance the Government will provide on the training appropriate for registered managers; who will decide what training is appropriate; who will pay for the training; and if he will make a statement. [8062]
§ Jacqui SmithGuidance on the training appropriate for registered managers for Care Homes for Older People has been given in the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People published in March 2001. Guidance on the training appropriate for registered managers of Care Homes for Younger Adults and for Children's Homes will be given in the relevant set of National Minimum Standards. These standards are presently being finalised and will be published later in the year.
It is an employer's responsibility to ensure that they and their staff receive the relevant training for the work that they have to undertake. However, help towards the cost of funding for national vocational qualifications is available from the learning and skills councils. The Department also contributes towards the cost of training social care workers via the training support programme grant and this year. The Department has also provided £2 million towards the implementation of the national training strategy for social care workers.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the views of care home staff on the Care Homes Regulations 2001 will be collected by the Care Standards Commission; where the results will be published; and if he will make a statement. [8060]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department completed the consultation exercise on the draft Care Homes Regulations 2001 on 21 September. Copies of that document were made available widely to interested groups and individuals through direct mailing, the National Care Standards Commission internet site and the Department's distribution unit. Care workers were welcome to give their views as were any other interested parties. Responses were received from a few individual care workers. In addition, under section 7 of the Care Standards Act 2000, the National Care Standards Commission will have the responsibility of keeping my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State informed about the availability and quality of the services it regulates. The Commission will also be required to make public information about these services. Much of this information will be obtained through the inspection processes that the Commission will adopt. Section 31(3)(d) gives the Commission powers to interview any person employed by a regulated provider. It is likely that staff views would be sought through this power.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action will be taken against a registered provider if a care home worker refuses to make available their passport, as required in section 19(4)(c) of the Care Home Regulations 2001: and if he will make a statement. [8061]
1343W
§ Jacqui SmithSection 19(4)(c) of the draft Care Homes Regulations will require the registered person to obtain certain information regarding the fitness of a person who is working or seeking to work in the care home. Schedule 5 of the draft Regulations sets out the details of the information for the purpose of establishing identity to be provided by the care worker. The care worker is required to provide a birth certificate, a passport if he or she has one and a recent photograph. Where a person who has a passport refuses to provide that document to the registered person then an application for employment should be refused or employment terminated. No action will be taken against a provider who refuses to employ or terminates the employment of someone who has a passport but who refuses to provide that document.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) residential care homes and (b) nursing care home beds were available in England and Wales in each of the last four years. [7605]
§ Jacqui Smith:[holding answer 15 October 2001]: The table shows the requested information for England. Information on the number of homes and beds in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.
Number1 of residential care homes and registered nursing beds in England, 1997 to 2000 (as at 31 March) 21997 1998 1999 2000 (a) Residential care homes 24,480 24,880 24,820 24,830 (b) Registered nursing beds in nursing homes3 196,300 205,600 202,200 193,300 1 Rounded numbers 2This refers to the period 1 October 1997 to 31 March 1998 3Registered beds in general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics. Source:
Department of Health annual returns
§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reverse the trend in the number of residential care home places. [6510]
§ Jacqui Smith:[holding answer 18 October 2001]: On 9 October, we announced an extra £300 million investment over this year and next year for local councils to spend on community care services. This major cash investment will be used to reduce bed blocking and will help to stabilise the care home sector, giving them greater confidence in the future.
We, also launched a new agreement "Building Capacity and Partnership in Care" on 9 October. The agreement focuses on councils and the independent sector working together as partners throughout the commissioning process. This should promote a more strategic, inclusive and consistent approach to capacity planning at a local level.