§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2004,Official Report, column 1111W, on personal care charges, if he will estimate the change in the cost of free personal care following the announced change in his Department's policy on the assessment of patients for fully funded continuing care costs. [159739]
§ Dr. LadymanThe cost of free personal care remains within the range of estimates previously made by the Department. The Department's policy on continuing care has not changed. Assessment procedures have been strengthened to ensure people receive services on the basis of their assessed need.