§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has any plans to prevent the transfer by district health authorities of financial responsibility for the long-stay care of frail, elderly patients which occurs when such patients are discharged from long-stay hospital beds to private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department's guidance on hospital discharge procedures requires a patient who is to be discharged to a private nursing home to be notified in writing whether or not the health authority will meet the fees of the home under a contractual arrangement. It also makes it clear that no one should be unwillingly discharged to such care if it means that he, she or a relative will be personally responsible for the home's charges.