Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Elderly Care Provision

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to introduce a minimum standard for food and nutrition for all nursing and residential homes for the elderly.

Answer: Food and nutrition is extensively covered in the existing Care Homes for Older People—National Minimum Standards””, a copy of which is available in the Library. The national minimum standards, which homes must meet in order to be assessed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection as complying with the Care Homes Regulations 2001, address food and nutrition from various perspectives, such as nutritional content, religious or cultural requirements, preparation and hygiene and the social value of meals and mealtimes.

Secondary information