§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what his Department is doing to ensure that elderly patients receive help and support during the weeks following discharge from hospital.
§ Sir George YoungThis is a matter for health and social services authorities who are fully aware that the return home of a patient is a crucial episode in continuing care and that the full benefits of hospital treatment may well be lost if arrangements for after-care are inadequate. This applies particularly to elderly people—especially those living alone—and there are a growing number of continuing care projects and schemes 739W for enhanced home help services which are witness to the value of co-operation between authorities locally.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of patients over the age of 65 years are readmitted to hospital within four weeks of their original discharge from hospital care.
§ Sir George YoungFor most categories of patient this information is not available and for others it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.