HC Deb 19 November 1990 vol 181 cc51-2W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 for the assessment of care management of clients with drug and alcohol problems where there is a need for access to a national network of services to be maintained and a requirement for the provision of funding across existing local authority and health authority boundaries.

Mr. Dorrell

The policy guidance which is to be issued soon will emphasise the need for local authorities and health authorities to work together. The assessment of clients with alcohol and drug problems will need to take account of the range of services provided within the area or available elsewhere.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response has been made by his Department following representations from agencies regarding the omission from the National Health Service and Community Care Act of provisions to take account of the special needs of drug and alcohol services.

Mr. Dorrell

Section 7E of the Local Authorities Social Services Act 1970 (inserted by section 50 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990) empowers my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to make specific grants to local authorities. One of these grants will be for voluntary organisations providing services for alcohol and drug misusers. The grant in 1991–92 will support expenditure of £2 million.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is the Government's intention to issue guidelines concerning the resolution of disputes between agencies over the responsibility for funding services for people with drug or alcohol problems, under the provisions of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

Mr. Dorrell

Guidance which is to be issued soon will emphasise the need for joint working between all agencies concerned with funding community care services. There was wide-ranging consultation including voluntary and statutory authorities. Where there is dispute between health authorities and local authorities, advice may be sought from regional health authorities and the social services inspectorate.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is being made by his Department under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to ensure that a uniform system for the assessment of persons with drug or alcohol problems is developed across the United Kingdom in order to avoid clients facing several assessments from various agencies before being offered appropriate services.

Mr. Dorrell

It is not the Government's intention to prescribe the detailed assessment procedures; these will be for local authorities to develop in partnership with other agencies. In assessing the social and health care needs of their residents, local and health authorities will need to ensure that people with alcohol or drug problems have access to a range of services which may be provided within the area or elsewhere. Where a specialist service is provided by a voluntary body under contract with a local authority, it will be possible for the contractual arrangements to include delegation of the assessment function.