§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will give details of the guidelines issued by her Department to local health authorities on their responsibilities to provide long-term care for people who need it for reasons of ill-health; and what monitoring is done by her Department on provisions;
(2) what guidelines have been issued by her Department to local health authorities defining their responsibilities to 855W provide long-term care for people who need it for reasons of ill-health; and what monitoring is done by her Department on availability of provision.
§ Mr. BowisThe "Caring for People" White Paper makes it clear that the provision of continuing care for those who need it for reasons of ill health remains the responsibility of the national health service. It is a matter for district health authorities to determine in consultation with local social services authorities the level and type of care required. As part of the new community care arrangements we have required health and local authorities to agree their respective responsibilities for long-term care. This was a pre-condition of the 1993–94 and 1994–95 special transitional grant and covered by guidance in executive letters EL(92)82 and EL(93)97, copies of which are in the Library. There has been an extensive programme of monitoring of the new community care arrangements including the operation of agreements on continuing care responsibilities.