§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will establish provisions for home help care for discharged elderly patients that include continuing daily visits to people known to be at risk, irrespective of charging policies;
(2) if she will establish a review and evaluation policy for home help organisers or care managers responsible for those elderly discharged from hospital who have had their home help discontinued or severely reduced;
(3) if she will lay down guidelines for assessment, when an eldery person is to be discharged into the care of another elderly person, of the health and social care needs of the household, couple or group, in addition to that of the patient;
(4) if she will lay down guidelines on basic minimal standards of service for elderly patients discharged into community care.
(5) if she will conduct regular review assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the services being received by elderly patients who have been discharged into community care.
§ Mr. YeoProvision of home care services to elderly people discharged from hospital is the responsibility of local authorities. They are best placed to determine382W individual needs and how they can best be met. Detailed guidance has been issued to authorities about the assessment process, including the need for periodic reviews of needs. The way in which local authorities carry out their responsibilities is monitored by the social services inspectorate, which also advises authorities on good practice. Examples of relevant good practice material include:
Publication HMSO number Care Management and Assessment: Managers' Guide HMSO ISBN 0–11 321 464 2 Practitioners' Guide HMSO ISBN 0–11 321 463 4 Inspecting Home Care Services, A Guide to the SSI method HMSO ISBN 0–11 321 325 5 Copies are available in the Library.