HC Deb 19 June 2003 vol 407 cc439-40W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken in the last 12 months to inspect nursing homes in the private sector. [119090]

Dr. Ladyman

The National Care Standards Commission has been set up to register and inspect care and other homes in the private sector in England. It is an independent regulatory body created by the Care Standards Act, which aims to raise the standards of care offered by registered services. It is accountable to the Secretary of State for Health and to Parliament for its actions.