Care Homes: Standards

Mr. Burstow
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors were taken into account in deciding not to proceed with the review of the national minimum standards for care homes.

Mr. Ivan Lewis
The Department has decided to refocus the work that has already been carried out on the review of the national minimum standards, and to build on this, as part of the wider reform of health and adult social care regulation, to ensure there is an effective and integrated regulatory system.

The decision to integrate the review into the regulatory reform work was based on concerns received from stakeholders about a two-stage approach to changes in the standards. It is also important to ensure that any changes in respect of adult social care will align with the new regulatory regime.