§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will encourage health and local authorities to co-operate in ensuring continuity of day service provision when residents move out of hospital, in particular the provision of therapist input to community day services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanGovernment policy is to encourage the development at local level of a comprehensive range of well-co-ordinated health and social services for mentally handicapped people. Every district is required by 1991 to678W have agreed in consultation with the relevant local authorities policy statements and action plans for meeting those needs of mentally handicapped people for which health authorities have the relevant skills, expertise and responsibility. This includes the provision of therapy services.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in the preparation of the White Paper on community care, he has considered the training provided by the Crossroads care attendant schemes for care attendants, local voluntary management committees and co-ordinators of local schemes; and whether this might provide a model for training by local authorities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTraining needs will be considered along with other implementation issues following publication of the White Paper.