§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary for Health what action she proposes to take to ensure that New River health authority complies with the requirements of HSG(95)8 in relation to its decision to reduce its 1995–96 continuing care contract with Hornsey Central hospital in respect of the number of occupied bed days. [21272]
§ Mr. BowisHSG(95)8 states that until policies and eligibility criteria for continuing care have been agreed health authorities should not proceed with any plans to reduce continuing care services unless those plans are covered by existing agreements with local authorities. New River health authority has reduced its contract for continuing care beds at Hornsey Central hospital in line with bed usage in 1994–95. They are discussing with the local social services department how the savings can be re-invested in other continuing care services. I have asked the chairman of New River health authority to let me have details of their reinvestment plans once they have been agreed with the local authority.