§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of section 8(2) of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act.
§ Mr. FreemanOfficials have recently opened consultations with the local authority associations on the cost and other implications of the remaining sections of the Act, including section 8(2). Decisions on implementation will be made in the light of the outcome of these consultations and the availability of the necessary resources.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment services are available to local authorities to assist them in carrying out their duty under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act to assess the needs of deaf-blind people.
§ Mr. FreemanSection 4 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986, which was implemented on 1 April 1987, requires local 647W authorities to assess the needs of a disabled person for services under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, if asked to do so by a disabled person or their carer. The Government White Paper "Caring for People" contains provision for the publication in late 1990 of a detailed code of guidance for local authorities which will offer advice on the working of the new assessment system. The code of guidance will be developed following discussions with professional and representative bodies.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring has been carried out by his Department into the implementation by local authorities of sections 4, 8, and 9 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department's social services inspectorate has carried out a number of exercises to monitor the implementation of the Act. The results of an inspection of the operation of all sections of the Act in force, including sections 4, 8 and 9, were published on 6 February under the title "Developing Services for Disabled People", copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what specialist resources are available for the rehabilitation, care and training of deaf-blind people.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information requested is not held centrally. Local authority social services departments allocate resources for the rehabilitation, care and training of deaf-blind people on the basis of their own, local assessment of need. A number of voluntary organisations also provide excellent services for deaf-blind people. Over the last three financial years, the Department has provided funding of £960,000 to voluntary organisations concerned with the needs of deaf-blind people.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to encourage local authorities to respond to the report, "Breaking Through—Developing Services for Deaf-Blind People".
§ Mr. FreemanIn October 1989, the Department and the deaf-blind services liaison group jointly funded and co-hosted with the Association of Directors of Social Services a national seminar to promote the recommendations in the report "Breaking Through". The seminar, which was aimed at senior managers of social services departments, was well attended and a report of the discussions will shortly be published and distributed to local authorities.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in the light of the Beverley Lewis case, he has any proposals relating to the training given to professionals on assessing and meeting the needs of deaf-blind people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe death of Beverley Lewis is a very tragic case. We have received reports from the health and social services authorities concerned. When we have received the report from the coroner, we shall consider what, if any, action the Department should take in relation to the needs of deaf-blind people who are also mentally handicapped.