§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will consult with local authorities with a view to extending facilities for the establish 384W ment of a sitter-in service for the elderly, sick and incapacitated.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisIt is the Government's policy that home help services, of which a sitter-in-service may form part, should be expanded and, within the resources available to them, local authorities are taking steps in this direction. In addition, a number of health authorities provide a night nursing/sitting service for terminally ill patients being nursed in their own homes. Much valuable work in providing a sitter-in-service is also done by voluntary organisations. It is for each local authority, in collaboration with its matching area health authority, to assess how to meet the needs of the local community for sitter-in-services.