HC Deb 28 April 2004 vol 420 c1090W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what standards the National Care Standards Commission has set for care homes on infection control; and how these standards are monitored centrally. [165248]

Dr. Ladyman

Standards for infection control in care homes are contained in the relevant National Minimum Standards (NMS) for care homes and are set by the Secretary of State for Health. A copy of the NMS is available in the Library.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection, which replaced the National Care Standards Commission from 1 April 2004, is responsible for ensuring that homes comply with the care homes regulations, subject to the NMS being taken into account.