§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the guidance issued by her Department in 1989 in regard to the placing of national health service patients in private nursing or residential homes still stands; and if she will make it her policy that no such patient will be placed in a home if this compels that patient to take personal responsibility for the charges made by the home.
Mr. BowlsWhere a person is assessed as requiring long-term care secured by the national health service and is placed in a private nursing or residential care home, the national health service will be responsible for meeting the full costs of care.