HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc616-7W
106. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Health Service and Community Care Bill and elderly patients.

Mr. Freeman

Elderly patients will have much to gain from our proposals to improve the Health Service. The Government are fully aware of the special needs of the increasing numbers of elderly people. District health authorities will have specific responsibility to ensure the availability of a full range of services for all the people living within their boundaries, including elderly people. Health authorities will enter into contracts with those hospitals which can best provide the quality of care needed with the minimum of delay. Our proposals in the Bill as well as in the new GPs contract regulations are designed to bring about better quality health care for all patients, including elderly people.

117. Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of local authority residential care for the elderly.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Our policy on local authority residential care is set out in our recent White Paper, "Caring for People".