News

Plans for a single body to inspect social care and health services were signalled by health secretary Alan Milburn in a speech on the decentralisation of NHS control last week.

Milburn said the Commission for Health Improvement would have a greater inspection role, which would necessitate closer working, and "over time closer organisational integration between the commission, the [Social Services Inspectorate], the National Care Standards Commission and the Audit Commission so that health and social care services are subject to a common set of standards".

Two days later, responding to the report of the inquiry into children's heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Milburn told the House of Commons: "We will take further steps at the earliest opportunity to rationalise the number of bodies inspecting and regulating health and social care."

Mike Leadbetter, president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said any rationalisation of the inspection and monitoring of social care services would be welcome. Details would have to be worked out, but the idea to bring together the four bodies was feasible.

Milburn's decentralisation plans also included greater freedoms for the best performing hospitals and primary care trusts.