§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase funding to Scottish health boards for the dedicated purpose of providing physiotherapy treatment to long-stay geriatric patients in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartIt is for health boards themselves to organise physiotherapy services in accordance with the assessed needs of their area.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that all Scottish health boards guarantee to retain a minimum number of long-stay geriatric beds within hospitals which currently have a geriatric facility; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartThe distribution of NHS facilities is a matter for health boards to decide in the light of their assessment of needs.
The national health service will continue to provide long-stay care for patients who need continuing consultant 915W led medical and nursing care. People whose needs are primarily for social care and whose health needs can be met by the primary care services will be the responsibility of the local authority and resources will transfer to them from the national health service. Health boards and social work authorities are developing joint strategies which fully reflect this policy.