To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications of allowing home care assistants to administer controlled drugs without supervision; and if he will make a statement.

The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 sets out the circumstances in which individuals, including home care assistants may administer drugs.

Managers of residential and domiciliary care providers have a responsibility to ensure the proper and safe use of medicines, and that staff responsible for the management and administration of medication are suitably trained and competent. Furthermore, the Care Quality Commission expects all adult social care providers to induct staff in line with the standards set out in the Care Certificate. As a minimum, new workers must be able to:

- describe the agreed ways of working in relation to medication;

- describe the agreed ways of working in relation to healthcare tasks; and

- list the tasks relating to medication and healthcare procedures that they are not allowed to carry out until they are competent.