HC Deb 25 February 1975 vol 887 cc112-3W
24. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between hospital authorities and local government social services in matters relating to the care of old people.

Dr. Owen

Effective co-ordination of health and personal social services in the care of old people—and of others—is of first importance. The National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 required that joint consultative committees be set up to promote this co-ordination. I attach great importance to the effective working of these committees and am considering how best they can be helped to plan jointly for the most effective use of resources, of money and manpower—possibly through some modification of existing arrangements for financing the services.