HC Deb 04 March 1994 vol 238 cc53-5W
Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision has been made for convalescent care in the figures prepared by officials of the health and social services boards.

Mr. Ancram

All residents of independent sector homes entitled to income support, including those receiving convalescent care, were taken into account when the funds to transfer from the social security vote to health and social services boards were being calculated. People requiring convalescent care were not identified separately.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is to be made for the training of assessors of proposed candidates for care in the community.

Mr. Ancram

Health and social services boards received £1.1 million in 1991–92, £0.62 million in 1992–93 and £4.82 million in 1993–94 for the development of their infrastructure for the delivery of community care services. These allocations include money for the recruitment and training of professional and other staff required to carry out assessments and operate the care management procedures. All four boards have developed training programmes for staff responsible for the assessment and review of the care needs of clients requiring community care services.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what framework has been established to create feedback and dialogue on the policy of community care.

Mr. Ancram

The Department, as part of its preparation and support for the introduction of the new community care arrangements established a joint DHSS/health and social services board "People First" liaison group to facilitate feedback and dialogue on the implementation of the new arrangements. A monitoring framework has also been established to obtain quarterly information about boards' assessment and care management performance.

Boards have also established various systems to obtain feedback on the way in which the new arrangements are working, to ascertain user satisfaction and to work with statutory and independent providers in developing the range of residential and non-residential services required.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the(a) average and (b) target length of time between the inquiry and assessment and the making of a decision to provide care in the community for an elderly person.

Mr. Ancram

The information is not available in the form requested. Health and social services boards have reported that during the six-month period from April to September 1993, 92 per cent. of assessments of elderly people were carried out within one week of referral and 83 per cent. of care packages for elderly people commenced within one week of completion of the assessment.

The Department is currently reviewing community care standards in the charter for patients and clients. Standards will include local waiting times for access to various services, including access to care management and the provision of community care services.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what savings he expects to result from the closure of homes for the elderly and a reduction in home help and community care budgets.

Mr. Ancram

None. Health and social services boards are responsible for managing the financial resources at their disposal and for determining the appropriate level of resources to be committed for the purchase of particular services. Boards are following a policy for the development of community care services which involves a shift from institutional care to domiciliary and day care. To support this policy additional resources of £29 million have been made available to boards this financial year.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what appeals procedure is available to carers and applicants for assistance under the community care initiative.

Mr. Ancram

Clients and carers who are dissatisfied with any aspect of their treatment in relation to community care have recourse to the comprehensive complaints procedures which are in place in each health and social services board. Anyone who is dissatisfied with a board's written response to his or her complaint can appeal to a review panel, which includes a member who is independent of the board. Details of the procedures and arrangements for review are published by each board.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice has been issued to the Eastern health and social services board on the future numbers of independent homes for the elderly and the numbers of statutory homes which should be maintained.

Mr. Ancram

None. It is for the board to assess the needs of its resident population and determine the nature and level of services it wishes to provide to meet those needs within the available resources.

Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what joint forums have been established to permit independent homes to have an input in community care policy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

None. Government policy for the provision of community care is clearly set out in the 1990 policy document "People First" and the regional strategy for the Northern Ireland health and personal social services 1992–97. A wide range of interested parties, including independent sector care providers, were consulted during the preparation of both these documents. Future policy developments will be subject to similar consultation.