§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on providing suitable facilities for disabled patients and visitors; and if he will make a statement. [57119]
537W
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 29 October 1998]: The National Health Service Executive issued Health Service Circular (HSC1998/156) on 17 September 1998 entitled Implementing Section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act. This circular informs the NHS about the implementation of the Act and sets out the action the NHS Executive plans to take to support implementation of Section 21 of the Act in the NHS.
Work is currently in progress to produce a good practice guide. This will cover both employment and service provision issues relating to disabled people for the whole of the NHS and will therefore cover general practitioner practices and other primary care providers.