§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage the use of technology in improving dementia care. [61342]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 June 2002]: Passive personal alarm systems and other such technology that detects unusual patterns of domestic activity, wandering and unlit gas are a useful addition to the field of dementia care. Use may reduce or postpone admissions to residential or nursing care and can improve the quality of life for carers. Every opportunity is taken by Ministers and officials to encourage the spread of such technology as part of the funded national project to integrate community equipment services by 2004 and to increase the number of people benefiting from these services by 50 per cent.
390WThe Commission for Social Care Inspection will create a single comprehensive Inspectorate for social care, bringing together the inspection functions of the social services inspectorate, including a number of their function with the Audit Commission, and the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) and including the regulation of social care providers. The NCSC and the social services inspectorate will continue with their existing work until the new body goes live.