Healthcare: Support Workers

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Monday 28th January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Northover]

This is an issue which the noble Baroness, Lady Emerton, has flagged up and I think she made a very cogent case. Health workers and social care workers move between the two sectors. We are trying to make sure—as previous administrations have sought to do—that the two systems are better integrated, because a patient is one person. They may cross between the two sectors, but they should have the same standards of care, whichever part of the system they are in.

[Baroness Brinton]

My Lords, given that there is a visible difference between homes where all the staff are trained and those where it is a bit patchy—to be favourable about it—can the Minister confirm whether the Government will be looking for compulsory training, which seems absolutely key to success in protecting both patients and staff?

[Baroness Northover]

I can assure my noble friend that all options will be considered when we receive the Mid Staffs report.