§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that where a person moves from a National Health Service hospital to a private nursing home or private elderly persons home, it will be made clear to her or him, in writing, before the transfer, whether the district health authority will pay the fees under a contractual arrangement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyCircular HC(89)5 which was issued to health authorities in February 1989, together with a booklet "Discharge of Patients from Hospital"—copies are available in the Library—emphasised that proper arrangements should be made for any necessary continuing care before patients are discharged from hospital. Arrangements, including care in a private residential or nursing home, should be made in good time and be acceptable to the patient and, where appropriate, the patient's relatives or carers. Where a person moves from hospital to a private nursing home, it should be made quite clear to him or her in writing before the transfer whether or not the health authority will pay the fees, under a contractual arrangement.