§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to ensure that health authorities whose eligibility criteria for NHS continuing care fail to meet the requirements of Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 (or as amended) act to comply with these requirements; [143358]
(2) if he will list by region the dates at which health authorities whose eligibility criteria for NHS continuing care had failed to meet the requirements set out in Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 (or as amended) acted to comply with these requirements; [143360]
(3) if he will list by region those health authorities whose eligibility criteria for NHS continuing care fail to meet the requirements set out in Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 (or as amended); [143361]
(4) if he will list by region, the health authorities whose eligibility criteria for NHS continuing care failed to meet the requirements set out in HSC 1999/180. [143364]
§ Mr. HuttonHealth authorities were instructed to satisfy themselves that their eligibility criteria were in line with the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of R.v. North and East Devon Health authority ex parte Coughlan and other guidance, taking legal advice as necessary. Where health authorities revised their criteria, they were requested to consider what action needed to be taken to reassess service users against the revised criteria. The regional office of the National Health Service Executive contacted health authorities to confirm they had taken this action.
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§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Regional Authority of the NHS Executive last discussed the compliance of the eligibility criteria of the Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority for NHS continuing care with the requirements of Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 (or as amended); and if he will make a statement. [143359]
§ Mr. HuttonThe South East Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive is in regular contact with Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority about NHS continuing care. The health authority assessed their eligibility criteria in light of the Coughlan judgment and was satisfied these were in keeping with the advice in the circular issued following the judgment. The health authority and social services are working together to deliver effective continuing care services.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 was last updated; and what changes have been made to it since 11 August 1999. [143362]
§ Mr. HuttonThis circular has not been updated or changed since 11 August 1999.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when health authorities were last contacted by the Regional Officer of the NHS Executive to confirm that they had taken action as required by Health Service Circular HSC 1999/180 (as amended). [143363]
§ Mr. HuttonThis activity is part of the regular performance management of health authorities by the eight regional offices of the National Health Service Executive.