§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he has any plans to extend community care facilities for the elderly;
(2) if he has any plans to ensure that there are a sufficient number of day centres for the elderly to meet current and future need;
(3) if he has any plans to introduce a charter of rights defining the services and standards of care to which elderly people should be entitled.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe provision of services to elderly people, as to other groups, including daycare is a matter for the statutory authorities locally. They are responsible for deciding the level and extent of services in the light of local needs and the overall level of resources available.
Although centrally we issue guidance to authorities on the discharge of these functions I do not think that it would be helpful if we prescribed in detail the services and standards of care to be provided.
§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to ensure that a greater amount of health services resources are directed to the health care of the elderly.
§ Mr. FreemanHealth authorities are responsible for planning levels of expenditure and services which take into account both local needs and Ministers' aims and objectives, including those for services for elderly people. The Department issues guidance, and must approve plans submitted by regional and special health authorities, but essentially these plans reflect local decisions. Elderly people do, of course, make use of many NHS services, not just those which are dedicated solely to their needs.
§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce an independent national inspectorate to oversee all forms of health, social and care services for the elderly.
§ Mr. FreemanNo. We already receive regular advice and assistance from the health advisory service and the social services inspectorate of the Department.