§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act 2003 in addressing delayed discharges from hospitals; and what plans he has to introduce similar provisions in Northern Ireland. [157653]
§ Angela SmithI refer the hon. Lady to my answer on 3 November 2003,Official Report, column 394W. The Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act 2003, which became fully operational on 5 January 2004, places duties upon the NHS and councils relating to communication between authorities and introduces financial incentives to promptly assess and transfer patients. It is therefore premature to make an assessment 857W of the effectiveness of these new arrangements. I am not planning to introduce similar provisions in Northern Ireland for the reasons I have previously set out.