§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to ensure that private nursing homes and residential care homes include medical requisites and all necessary services in their fees.
§ Mr. DorrellPeople in residential care homes retain the right to NHS services as though they were in their own homes. The fees charged need only reflect provision made beyond this. The person responsible for a private nursing home must provide adequate facilities and services for those accommodated and we would expect fees to reflect this. Nursing home patients retain the right to NHS general medical, dental and hospital services.
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§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether elderly people in private residential care are entitled to receive free national health service prescriptions.
§ Mr. DorrellAll men aged 65 and all women aged 60 or over are entitled to have NHS prescriptions dispensed free of charge. One of the duties of the person responsible for a residential home is to make adequate arrangements for patients and residents to receive general medical and dental services under part II of the National Health Service Act 1977.
§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an inquiry into the level of fees charged by private nursing homes and residential care homes.
§ Mr. DorrellThe level of fees charged in private nursing or residential care homes is a matter between the proprietor and the residents or whoever pays on the residents' behalf and not one in which we see any need to intervene.