HC Deb 08 June 1972 vol 838 c153W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the saving to the State when terminal patients are nursed at home, and in view of the inappropriateness of a hospital ward for terminal care and the unavoidable costs involved in nursing a dying person, he will make available special attendance allowances on the basis of a specified medical certificate to any person nursing a terminal patient at home.

Sir K. Joseph

No. The attendance allowance is not intended to provide for short terminal terminal illnesses. Apart from this, however, I could not accept the unqualified nature of the hon. Member's statement about the inappropriateness of hospital care for terminal cases.