§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given to local authorities to ensure that an individual's right to choose to be placed in residential or nursing home care is observed when assessed for community care needs.
§ Mr. YeoMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has issued a statutory direction requiring local authorities to place someone to whom it decides to offer residential care in the accommodation of their choice, subject to practical conditions such as cost, availability and suitability. We have also made it clear that authorities should use their discretion in a way which respects users' and carers' wishes when arranging the provision of any community care service.