§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking in relation to the power of local authorities to charge health authorities for the services of hospital social workers.
§ Mr. NewtonWe intend to give statutory support to the 1974 arrangements under which it was agreed that health authorities and local authorities would not charge each other for certain services, and in particular that local authorities would not charge health authorities for the provision of social work in hospitals. This 1974 arrangement was reflected in the provision of funds to health authorities and local authorities. However, no action was taken to remove the legal power for local authorities to charge for them.
In the light of the decision by the London borough of Camden to use this power to charge the Bloomsbury health authority for hospital social work, despite the 1974 agreement, we have decided that it would be right to amend the law. Accordingly clause 15 of the Health and Medicines Bill, published today, provides for the abolition of the charging power. Subject to the agreement of Parliament, this change would have effect from midnight tonight.
While the Government believe it is unacceptable that health authorities should be exposed to bills in respect of these services, we recognise that some local authorities face particular problems arising from the number of patients who come to teaching and specialist hospitals within their area but who are not resident in it. We shall continue to work for a solution to these problems, which in our view can most appropriately be achieved by arrangements for sharing the costs more equitably between local authorities.