§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to local authorities about publicising the availability of alternatives to the institutional care of elderly or disabled people.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley"Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond: Policy Guidance" was published in November 1990 and issued to local and health authorities. A copy is in the Library. It includes guidance on publishing accessible information on the types of community care services available. Local authorities are expected to include in their published care plans the arrangements made in this respect.
The Policy Studies Institute is carrying out on behalf of the Department a study of user information needs in order to provide further guidance to authorities.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds have been closed in the Mersey region due to the transfer of elderly patients to private or charitable nursing homes.
§ Mr. DorrellWe do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Donald Wilson, the chairman of Mersey regional health authority, for details.