Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 November 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 13 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Care Homes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will establish a central record of mortality in respect of care homes residents, with particular reference to those residents who are moved consequent on closure of a care home; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Under the Care Home Regulation 2001, care homes have a duty to notify the Commission for Social Care Inspection of deaths, illness and other events that occur to residents.I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspections (CSCI), that CSCI has a central database that records the death of residents in care homes and can track the number of deaths at a specific care home, but is unable to identify mortality rates in relation to the closure of a care home.The Government have already announced a review of the national minimum standards and accompanying regulations and a full consultation exercise will be conducted.

Secondary information