Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Notices of Decision for Care Homes: Change of Ownership

Tuesday 6 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed notices of decision for care homes upon change of ownership
  • Care Quality Commission assesses care homes under new ownership without passing previous notices legally
  • Meeting offered to discuss specific case and prevent future lapses in care home standards

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
Social Care
Context

Concerns about notices of decision for care homes lapsing upon change of ownership, affecting the quality standards review process.

Question

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that notices of decision for care homes do not lapse upon a change of ownership unless standards improve. Previous notices cannot legally be passed to new providers but should inform CQC's approach and assessment timing.

Answer from Helen Whately

When a care home is taken over, the Care Quality Commission assesses and re-rates it under its new ownership. Previous notices of decision cannot legally be passed to a new provider but do inform CQC's approach to an assessment and how soon it takes place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken or planned to prevent lapses in notices of decision upon change of ownership unless standards improve.

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Q2 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
NHS Social Care
Context

Constituents lost parents after placement in Melbourne House care home, which was later deemed “inadequate” by CQC. Due to the lapse of notice on transfer back to original owner's family, Earlsdon Lodge operates with no improvement.

Question

Will the Minister meet my constituents and me to explain exactly why that was allowed to happen, and what is being done to prevent it from happening to other families? My constituents lost parents in Melbourne House care home which CQC later deemed inadequate. The notice of decision lapsed on transfer back to original owner's family.

Answer from Helen Whately

I shall be happy to meet the hon. Member to look into that case, because I feel strongly about the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to good, if not outstanding, care in care homes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or review mechanisms beyond a willingness to meet and discuss the issue.

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