§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has made to the report published on 9 February by Scottish Action on Dementia, Alzheimer's Scotland, Dementia Services Development Centre and Age Concern Scotland on long-stay care for people with dementia in Scotland; and what action he intends to take to deal with the concerns raised in the report about the provision of national health service funded long-stay care for frail elderly people and those with dementia.
§ Mr. StewartThis report will be studied with interest. The White Paper "Caring for People" made it clear that the Government's policy for the frail elderly with dementia1066W remains that all health boards must secure continuing care for people who need it for reasons of ill-health. Boards must carry out health needs assessments of their resident population and draw up a local health strategy to meet those needs. As purchasers, boards are also encouraged to consider the range of services which may be available for the long-term care needs of their resident populations provided by directly managed units, NHS trusts, or the independent sector.