MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE REGISTRATION ADVISORY PANEL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr R G Mazillius (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr T Blee, Mr J A Bowker, Mr K Dannatt, Mr N Humphries, Mr R Jones, Mr R Masters (deputising for Mrs J Masters), Mr J Rees

Apologies :

Mr P Barber, Mrs Bennett, Miss H Humby, Mr P D Joyce, Mr D Knowles, Mr P Scott, Mr C Waddicor

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr R G Mazillius be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. MR BOUGHEY

The Chairman announced with regret the death of Mr Boughey a long standing member of the Advisory Panel.

3. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2001 be confirmed.

4. UPDATE ON THE TRANSFER OF REGULATORY FUNCTIONS TO THE NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS COMMISSION

The report of the Head of the Joint Registration and Inspection Unit was received, informing Members of the current position regarding the transfer of the regulatory functions to the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) on 1 April 2002. Members were advised on which services the NCSC would regulate and related documents which were currently under consultation.

Members were advised that Mr Ron Kerr, had been appointed as the new Chief Executive to the NCSC and would be based in Newcastle.

The Head of Registration and Inspection Unit agreed to circulate to Members a recently published newsletter by the NCSC and leaflet by the Department of Health.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

5. IMPACT SURVEY - NATIONAL MINIMUM STANDARDS, HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

The Head of the Joint Registration and Inspection Unit referred to his report appraising Members of the findings of a survey the Unit had undertaken in May 2001.

The survey had assessed the potential impact of the new National Minimum Standard published by the Department of Health on residential and nursing homes for older people. The new regulations included the requirement for homes to be fitted with thermostatic taps, radiator protectors, widened doors and passenger lifts.

Members discussed the issues involved in implementing the necessary changes to meet the new requirements. Representatives of the Care Home Association discussed the financial implications these regulations would have on home owners and it was considered that this could lead to many homes closing on the Island. Members questioned what contingency plans the Social Services had put in place if the care homes were forced to close.

Members discussed submitting a letter to the NCSC outlining the problems on the Island and asking for clarification regarding anomalies about the enforcement of the NCSC procedures.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Advisory Panel note with concern the results of the impact survey in to the National Minimum Standards for older people and the problems arising from that survey which may lead to closures of Isle of Wight care homes.

(ii) The Panel agreed to write inviting representatives of the NCSC to the Island to discuss the concerns of the Panel and that the essence of these concerns be contained within the letter to the NCSC

CHAIRMAN