HC Deb 03 August 1971 vol 822 cc1317-8
12. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to improve services available to the aged sick who are not in hospital.

Mr. Alison

We are currently holding a series of regional conferences specifically to encourage local health authorities to continue developing their services, including services for the elderly, in the period before reorganisation of the National Health Service.

Mr. Ashley

I appreciate that reply, but, in view of the general lack of information about old people, the different kinds of welfare, domiciliary care and sheltered housing facilities, would the hon. Gentleman institute a special inquiry into the circumstances of old people, on the same lines as the inquiry which has just been undertaken into the problems of disabled people?

Mr. Alison

No doubt the hon. Gentleman is aware that Section 45 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, which gives local authorities specific powers to make arrangements for the welfare of the elderly, was brought into force on 1st April. In connection with this we are issuing a circular which advocate comprehensive experiments in limited areas in the first instance, and many authorities will no doubt conduct surveys in such areas covering all elderly people.

Dr. Stuttaford

Although his reply is quite satisfactory, is the Minister aware that in a written reply to me he said that he considered it adequate nursing care to leave a totally paralysed woman of nearly 70 lying in her own bed for six days attended only by a district nurse and unattended for some 16 hours during the day? Would my hon. Friend like one of his own constituents, or one of his own family, to be treated in this way?

Mr. Alison

I had hoped that the extremely encouraging and conciliatory letter I sent my hon. Friend today would have pre-empted that rather sharp supplementary question. I do not believe the lady in question has suffered to the extent he has suggested.

Dr. Stuttaford

I do.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is the hon. Gentle man aware that, although there have been some excellent achievements, progress in implementing the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, in the localities is still decidedly uneven? What does he now propose to do to ensure the full and humane implementation of the Act as it affects the elderly and home-bound sick? In what terms and with what guidance to local authorities will Section 1 of the Act be implemented in October this year?

Mr. Alison

I cannot comment about the alleged unevenness, although this is a risk inherent in the delegation of powers to local authorities. My right hon. Friend intends shortly to give guidance to local authorities on carrying out their duties under Section 1, which will come into force on 1 st October, and on development of services under Section 2.

Mr. Crawshaw

Would the Minister agree that every aged person who wishes to remain at home ought to be allowed to do so provided he can get the basic services? Having regard to the economic aspects, surely every pound spent on giving help which will keep a person out of hospital in the long run will save money.

Mr. Alison

I take the point. Local authorities possess adequate powers to supply all the required services to people in their homes.