HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 c704W
24. Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to the need for carers to be able to request an assessment under the proposals in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

In practice requests for local authority services will often, as at present, come from carers rather than from people who are being cared for. We want carers to play an active part in the assessment process and have already made clear that assessments should take account of their own needs, their preferences and their ability to go on providing care.