§ 30. Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the use of private residential nursing homes by the NHS. [156314]
§ Mr. HuttonWe see an important role for the independent sector, working in partnership with the NHS and councils, in providing services and making best use of resources and facilities. A framework for closer partnership was set out in the Concordat between the National Health Service and the independent sector, "For the Benefit of Patents", signed on 31 October 2000. Intermediate care was one of three areas highlighted as a particular area for co-operation. Guidance issued earlier this year asked the NHS and councils to take into account the potential contribution of the voluntary and private sectors in providing intermediate care and, where appropriate, to develop services in partnership with independent providing. In order to help local health and social care partners to engage more effectively with the independent sector in the short term the Department has developed model contracts, available on the Department's website, as a basis for local contracts with independent providers.
Nursing homes can also be an appropriate setting in which people receive continuing health care fully funded by the NHS. Currently 10 per cent. of residents are fully funded by the NHS. It is, however, for local agencies to decide on the best way of providing services to meet the needs of local people.