§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set up a monitor of continuing care provision across the country.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe need for continuing care provision is established, arranged and monitored through the local strategies for health and health plans prepared by health authorities, the social care plans prepared by local authorities and, through the Welsh strategies for the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue more detailed guidance to health authorities on future standards of continuing care and respite care for people with dementia.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesGuidance has been issued to health authorities in the form of the "Protocol for Investment in Health Gain: Mental Health, the Health and Social Gain for Older People" publication and the Welsh strategy for mental illness. I have no proposals to issue further guidance to health authorities at present.
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§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review and investigate those areas in Wales where no psychogeriatric continuing care beds are available.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe provision of continuing care beds for the elderly mentally ill is a matter for health authorities.
All health authorities in Wales provide continuing care beds for this group with the exception of Pembrokeshire health authority which uses patient beds provided by other agencies within Dyfed.
It is for each health authority to make appropriate provision in line with its own assessment of local need.