§ Mr. HopkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the minimum standard of care in a care home setting is; and if he will make a statement. [164275]
§ Dr. Ladyman[holding answer 31 March 2004]: The minimum standard of care for case homes is set out in the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People and the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults (18–65).
These standards are taken into account by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, which is responsible for ensuring homes meet the requirements set down in the Care Homes Regulations 2001.
A copy of the Standards and the Regulations is available in the Library.
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of exempting people suffering from particular illnesses from the requirement to recover the costs of personal care provided within care homes. [165468]
§ Dr. LadymanIn our response to the Royal Commission on long-term care in the NHS Plan, we made it clear that we did not believe that making personal care free is the best use of limited resources. Instead, we have significantly increased investment in other aspects of older people's sere ices. We believe that investing in services will secure greater benefits for older people than would have been achieved by providing free personal care.
Having made this decision, it would be inequitable to single out particular conditions or different settings for special treatment as far as personal care is concerned.
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received concerning the definition of personal care provided within care homes; and if he will make a statement. [164107]
§ Dr. LadymanSince January 2004, I have not received any representations which specifically ask about the definition of personal care provided in care homes.
254WThe Department published statutory guidance, 'Supported Housing and Care Homes—Guidance on Regulation' in August 2002, about eligibility for care home registration.