§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the questionnaire that is being sent to residents in care homes as part of the annual residents' report by the NCSC; and if he will make a statement on the cost of the questionnaire. [68776]
125W
JacquiSmith [holding answer 11 July 2002]: The National Care Standards Commission is consulting service users and representative organisations as part of its inspection process.
This is a considerable challenge to a new organisation, given the wide range of service users receiving care in care homes.
Service user feedback is essential to ensure that the Commission's approach is right and a range of survey material will be produced to meet different needs. One of the approaches currently being used is a simple feedback card with six 'tick box' questions. This is based on similar cards used in the past, although it is subject to review and change.
The pre-paid method of returning these cards is currently being costed.