HC Deb 12 July 1990 vol 176 cc294-5W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to ensure that private nursing homes and residential care homes include medical requisites and all necessary services in their fees.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The responsibility for ensuring that nursing homes and residential care homes provide the required level of services rests with the registration authorities, health boards and local authorities respectively. The level of fee is a private matter between the individual home and its clients.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether elderly people in private residential care are entitled to receive free national health service prescriptions.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

All people over retirement age are entitled to free NHS prescriptions regardless of their residential arrangements.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals to initiate an inquiry into the level of fees charged by private nursing homes and residential care homes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The level of fees charged is a private matter between the individual home and its clients.