HC Deb 23 January 1990 vol 165 cc661-2W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the role of voluntary organisations in providing care in the community; and if he will make a statement.

32. Mr. John P. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding the Government's proposals on community care.

39. Mr. David Young

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations concerned with community care he has met since the publication of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

60. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from voluntary organisations on the community care proposals set out in the White Paper "Caring for People".

83. Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding the Government's proposals on community care.

89. Mr. Clelland

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding the Government's proposals on community care.

91. Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding the Government's proposals on community care.

104. Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations concerned with community care he has met since the publication of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Members to my replies on 12 December 1989 at columns845-47. We have received further representations on the Government's proposals for community care. These representations have been from local authority associations, from individual directors of social services, from voluntary organisations, from carers' organisations and from independent providers of services. Most continue to express a general welcome for our proposals; detailed issues are being discussed with these and other organisations as part of our preparations for implementation of the main proposals in the White Paper, "Caring for People" in April 1991.

107. Mr. Alexander

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure the involvement of qualified nurses in the move to care in the community for mental patients.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

As our recent published White Paper on community care, "Caring for People", reaffirms, nurses represent an important skilled resource. It will be essential that health and social services authorities and voluntary bodies make best use of both their time and skills. We propose to build on nurses' existing contributions to the health and social care needs of mentally ill and handicapped patients discharged from hospital and living in the community.

62. Mr. Arbuthnot

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy on the role of the private residential nursing home in the field of community care.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Our White Paper "Caring for People" makes it clear that we are firmly committed to a policy of community care which provides dignity and choice to frail and vulnerable people. While for most people this will be achieved by continuing to live in their own home, others would benefit from care in a more supportive environment. We believe that, along with other providers, independent sector nursing homes will continue to play an important part in meeting people's care needs.