§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the new arrangements for community care take full account of the needs of young disabled people.
§ Mr. Roger FreemanI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Dover (Mr. Shaw) and for Eastleigh (Sir D. Price) on 12 December at column605. Our proposals are intended to benefit all people in need of community care.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure joint planning by health and local authorities prior to the implementation of the proposed changes in community care.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 6 February 1990]: A key component of the Government's policy on community care, set out in the White Paper "Caring for People" is the production by local authorities of community care plans. Health authorities will also be expected to produce community health care plans. The two should be prepared collaboratively. The Department will bring forward guidance in support of the requirement to produce these plans. The precise form of collaboration over the production of plans is for local decision and agreement.