News story

5th November 2001

MP To Challenge Ministers Over Local Care Home Crisis

Northavon MP Steve Webb has secured a House of Commons debate next week (November 12th) on the threat to local homes caring for adults with learning disabilities, arising from new Government regulations. The MP sought a debate after hearing from dozens of parents and relatives of residents at the Manor House at Frenchay which has been providing care for young adults for decades. Steve Webb visited the home and had discussions with owner Marilyn Clarke about the way in which the proposed “care standards” could force homes to close if they are applied too rigidly. Many homes are already operating on a financial knife-edge and the costs of necessary building works and the loss of revenue from reduced numbers of residents could result in some closing altogether. Although the Government wants to see more adults living in supported housing in the community rather than in residential care homes, there are real concerns that such provision is unlikely to be in place in the foreseeable future. In the debate next week, Steve Webb will call for flexibility in applying the new standards and will argue that the proposed regulations are too prescriptive. He will argue that inspectors should have the power to relax stringent regulations where residents are clearly already receiving a high standard of care.

Steve Webb said:

“Everyone wants to see higher standards for people in residential care homes. But publishing new and highly prescriptive rules which existing homes will be forced to follow could risk destroying some of the high quality care that currently exists. The families of care home residents have left me in no doubt that they value the care that homes such as the Manor House give, and would be devastated if it was forced to close. I hope that the Minister will give me some assurances that the Government will think again on this issue.”

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Notes to editors: ** Care home manager Mrs Marilyn Clarke can be contacted on 0117 956 3676 and is willing to discuss the possibility of interviews etc. with residents, staff or relatives if appropriate. Information about the situation in the wider area can be obtained from Ted Gully of the Avon Registered Care Homes Association on 0117 957 5947.
The debate will take place in the House of Commons at around 10pm on Monday 12th November, and will be replied to by Dept. of Health Minister Jacqui Smith MP. The title is: “The impact on young adults in residential care in Avon of the Government’s proposed care standards”.