§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library her Department's guidance to local authorities to ensure the provision of human aids to communication during community care assessment procedures for deaf or hard of hearing people.
§ Mr. YeoWe fully recognise the importance of communication for people with a hearing impairment. The Department's social services inspectorate and the social work services group of the Scottish Office issued practice guidance on care management and assessment in 1991: "Care Management and Assessment: Practitioners Guide". This document advises local authorities that users and carers should receive every help to speak and act for themselves in the assessment process, including ready access to interpreting services where necessary. Copies are available in the Library. The Department will also be supporting a conference in June for managers in health and social services aimed at improving awareness of the communication needs of people with a hearing impairment.