§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied, having studied the details of the case sent to him, that the chronic medical case, in the Norwich area, who develops an acute social problem is able to obtain the necessary nursing care without delay or hardship; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonI am satisfied that in this particular instance the local authority provided such domicilary services as were required without delay and at an adequate level while admission to hospital was being arranged. I understand that a relative had been called in to stay with the patient. I have no reason to believe that domiciliary services would not be provided similarly in other comparable cases.
The patient was placed at the head of the waiting list for geriatric beds and 187W admitted to the first bed which became available, after a waiting period of six days.
I shall reply to my hon. Friend's letter in more detail when I have received a full report from the hospital authorities.