§ Mr. William Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the strict method of assessment employed by general practitioners in assessing whether or not elderly chronic sick should be admitted to hospital; whether this is due to shortage of beds and/or shortage of nurses; and if he will inquire into the circumstances and consult the health and social work departments with a view to improving the situation.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe method of medical assessment of the needs of the elderly chronic sick, including assessment for admission to hospital, is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctors concerned.
On the assessment of the needs of the elderly generally, local authority associations, regional hospital boards and other bodies are being consulted on proposed criteria for the admission of elderly persons to various types of accommodation.