Disabled Persons

HC Deb 21 February 1977 vol 926 cc434-5W

Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has studied mobility provision for disabled people in Holland; and whether he will make a comparative statement on British and Dutch provisions.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I am aware of the arrangements in Holland, which include extensive adaptations to cars to suit individual disabled drivers. There is much to admire in what the Dutch are prepared to do to help disabled people to drive, but our priority is to give mobility help to disabled people regardless of their ability to drive. Our objective is to provide such help as fairly as possible for drivers and non-drivers alike, and my Department is now in the process of trebling its spending on mobility help for the disabled. Differences in the pattern of funding health, social services and social security provisions in general, would render it difficult to make meaningful comparisons of particular benefits.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those districts which have health care planning teams for the disabled; what encouragement he is giving to local and health authorities to set up these vital teams; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

Current information is not held centrally on the planning teams of various kinds operating in health districts. The numbers and types of teams vary according to the local assessments of resources available and priorities for planning. Some teams deal explicitly with services for the disabled; but others are also concerned with the needs of the disabled, such as, teams dealing with rehabilitation, services for the younger chronic sick, and services for children. My Department is considering the comments received on the consultative circular HC(76)18, on joint care planning, joint financing and planning teams in health districts. A revised circular will be issued as soon as possible and my Department will seek information as necessary on planning team arrangements as part of the general monitoring of NHS planning procedures.