Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the use of CCTV in care homes.

The Department currently has no plans to require the installation of CCTV in care homes. However, we do have to recognise that recent cases of abuse and neglect have been exposed as the result of hidden cameras. We acknowledge that there are occasions when it may be appropriate for their use to be considered.

The Care Quality Commission is exploring whether hidden cameras might be used as part of its investigations. It is consulting widely on the use of covert surveillance and will take account of a wide range of views before making its decision.