§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to deliver more respite care in each of the counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17401]
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§ Mr. RichardsIt is for local authorities, health authorities and GP fundholders to determine and meet the need for respite care in their areas.
Local authorities in Wales will receive £124.4 million in 1995–96 for community care, including respite care. It is for those authorities to decide how best to use this money to meet the needs of their local populations.
The recent Welsh Office guidance on NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs—WHC(95)7, WOC16/95—has reiterated that health authorities and GP fundholders have important responsibilities too, in arranging and funding respite health care. Working with local authorities, health authorities have been asked to set out by April 1996 the arrangements they will make for this.