§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) by what means social work departments' joint discharge arrangements with health boards have been evaluated in connection with the care in the community programme;
(2) what measures were taken to evaluate the feasibility of the joint discharge arrangements made by each social work department with its health boards;
(3) what arrangements he has made for public access to written submissions on the integration of joint discharge arrangements between health boards and social work departments;
(4) what assessment he has made of progress in consultations between social work departments and health boards on transfer arrangements under care in the community;
(5) what plans he has to monitor implementation of arrangements for discharge from hospital into community care.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 19 March 1993]: Agreements between social work authorities and health boards on discharge from long-stay hospitals are an essential component of community care plans. All plans submitted to the Scottish Office have been evaluated with this in mind and followed up by meetings between the community care implementation unit of the Scottish Office and local authorities and health boards. All community care plans are public documents. Discharge arrangements will be one of the aspects of community care monitored by the social work services inspectorate. In February 1992 guidance was issued on the care programme approach for persons being discharged from mental hospital. We are about to issue practice guidance on the discharge of persons from acute hospitals.
554W
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance has been given to the appropriate local authorities on implementing an individual's choice to be placed in residential or nursing home care when assessed for community care needs.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 18 March 1993]: The direction on choice of residential accommodation and associated guidance which has been issued to authorities will ensure individuals have a real choice.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the extent of consultation between each social work department and the health boards on the subject of co-ordinating and integrating arrangements for the discharge of patients into community care; and what plans he has to monitor the effective and humane implementation of such arrangements;
(2) what arrangements he has made for public access to the documentary submissions concerning the integration of joint discharge arrangements between health boards and social work departments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 18 March 1993]: Agreements between social work authorities and health boards on discharge from long-stay hospitals are an essential component of community care plans. All plans submitted to the Scottish Office have been evaluated with this in mind and followed up by meetings between the community care implementation unit of the Scottish Office and local authorities and health boards. All community care plans are public documents. Discharge arrangements will be one of the aspects of community care monitored by the social work services inspectorate. In February 1992, guidance was issued on the care programme approach for persons being discharged from mental hospital. We are about to issue practice guidance on the discharge of persons from acute hospitals.