§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what savings have been made since April 1993 for the national health service by the transfer of funding of continuing care of elderly people to local authorities;
(2) what consideration she has given to using the savings from the transfer of funding of continuing care to local authorities to be available for the use of councils in providing this service.
§ Mr. BowisAs a pre-condition of the community care special transitional grant, local authorities have been required to reach agreements with health authorities on their respective responsibilities for long-term care. When reaching these agreements we have made it clear that any changes to long-term care responsibilities should be agreed between the two agencies, including, if appropriate any transfer of resources under section 28A of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1977.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that people with acute health needs in continuing care are cared for in hospital and not in a domestic setting.
§ Mr. BowisOn 12 August we issued, for consultation, draft guidance on national health service responsibilities616W for meeting long-term health care needs. The guidance reminded health authorities that they have a responsibility for securing care for people with continuing health care needs. Such care can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals or appropriate facilities in the independent sector.