§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued by his Department on the employment of placement officers whose role it is to make decisions on the transfer of people from the national health service to independent nursing homes.
§ Mr. DorrellIn 1989 the Department issued health circular (89)5 together with an accompanying booklet, copies of which are available in the Library. This gave health authorities general guidance on procedures and arrangements for the discharge of patients from hospital. Employment of placement officers is a matter for local decision.
§ Mr. BellottiTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support is available to residents living in private residential care homes for the mentally ill.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyPeople in private residential care homes can claim income support and other social security benefits. Apart from this, local authorities can offer financial support at their discretion to residents under pensionable age by meeting any shortfall between the charge made by the care home and the individual's ability to pay, taking any benefit entitlement into account. Authorities must however meet in full the cost of providing or arranging residential care under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 offset only by charges levied on residents under the terms of that Act.