20 November 2003
233.Subsection (2) of this section amends section 31 of the CSA 2000 to give inspectors the power to require at any time, from a person who carries on or manages an establishment or agency, copies of any medical or other personal records or other documents, insofar as is necessary to enable the registration authority – the CHAI or the CSCI in England, the Assembly in Wales - to discharge its functions. Where these documents or records are stored on a computer they must be produced in a legible form. Currently inspectors may only inspect such documents or records when they are already engaged in the inspection of an establishment or agency.
234.Subsections (3)(a) and (4) also amend section 31 to enable inspectors to inspect and take copies of medical and other personal records when inspecting a premises. Subsection 3(b) replaces the inspectors’ power to interview anyone ‘employed’ at premises with a power to interview anyone ‘working’ there. This will enable inspectors to interview temporary and agency staff contracted by a provider as well as permanent employees.