§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the light of the policy of moving patients out of hospital and into the community in Northern Ireland, what additional expenses and funding are envisaged for home helps.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of Health and Social Services, in its strategic planning guidelines, has recently asked health and social services boards to include in their area strategic plans an assessment of the implications for community services, including the home help service, of a shift in the balance of care away from hospitals. In advance of the receipt of boards' plans it is not possible to specify what additional resources will be required in any part of the services.