HC Deb 22 July 1988 vol 137 cc874-5W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his Department's policy towards the provision of long-stay hospital care for elderly people;

(2) what guidelines his Department gives to district and regional health authorities relating to the provision of long-stay hospital care for elderly people.

Mrs. Currie

Our policy is that the NHS has a responsibility to meet elderly people's need for long-term nursing care, either through hospital or community health services. This was reflected in the 1981 White Paper "Growing Older" and in subsequent annual planning guidelines issued to health authorities. This year's guidelines were issued on Tuesday 19 July. Copies have been placed in the Library.

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