§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures were taken to evaluate the feasibility of the joint discharge arrangements made by each social services department with its health authorities;
(2) what assessment she has made of the extent of consultation between each social services department and its local health authorities on integrating arrangements for discharge from hospital into community care; and what plans she has to monitor the effective implementation of these arrangements.
§ Mr. YeoTo receive a special transitional grant for community care all local authorities were required to agree with the relevant health authorities arrangements for integrating assessment and hospital discharge arrangements and to submit a copy of the agreement under joint signatures to the Department. All 109 local authorities did so. Each agreement reflects local circumstances. The operation of joint discharge arrangements will be one area covered in the overall monitoring of the community care reforms.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made for public access to the written submissions on the integration of joint discharge arrangements between health authorities and social service departments.
§ Mr. YeoWe have made it clear that authorities should publish details of these agreements in their community care plans.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice has been given to primary care and hospital staff about the joint discharge arrangements between social services departments and health authorities.
8W
§ Mr. YeoAgreements have been reached locally and will reflect local circumstances. It is for the health and local authorities concerned to communicate these agreements to the staff who need to know about them.