§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of continuing care beds in Wales, by each health authority.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesInformation on the number of beds by specialty is collected centrally on the basis of specialties recognised by the royal colleges. Continuing care is not one of these recognised specialties and hence the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what policies he proposes to ensure that carers have a statutory right to separate arrangements and to respite care services.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesIt is impossible to separate the needs and rights of carers from those of the people for whom they care. In every case, the assessment of needs—including the need for respite care—must take full account of the interests of both and indeed section 8(1) of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 requires a local authority, when assessing the needs of a disabled person living at home and receiving a substantial amount of care on a regular basis from an informal carer, to take account of the ability of that carer to continue to provide that support.