HC Deb 22 May 2003 vol 405 cc958-9W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the Commission for Health Inspection and Audit will play in assessing the quality of(a) health care and (b) clinical governance as it affects residents in care homes. [114745]

Mr. Lammy

Clause 99 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill will, subject to Parliamentary approval, transfer the regulation of independent healthcare from the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) to the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI).

All other NCSC functions, including the regulation and inspection of care homes will transfer to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

Under clause 116 of the Bill, CSCI will be able to ask CHAI for help with the discharge of its functions.