HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 cc549-50W
25. Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Association of Directors of Social Services to discuss community care. [7516]

Mr. Bowis

I meet members and officers of the Association of Directors of Social Services on numerous occasions throughout the year and discuss a range of issues with them, including issues related to community care.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what current instructions he has issued to local health authorities to ensure that, prior to patients being released from health care into community care, adequate inquiries are made to ascertain if this is practicable; and if he will make a statement. [9117]

Mr. Bowis

In the case of those treated in hospital for mental disorder, our guidance emphasises that no patient should be discharged unless and until those responsible are satisfied that he or she can live safely in the community, and that adequate arrangements have been made for the patient's treatment supervision, support and care.

For patients with continuing health and social care needs, recent guidance stresses the need for clear procedures and responsibility for taking decisions about discharge and effective collaboration between key health and social service professionals.

Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring he has undertaken of community care provision; and if he will make a statement on its findings. [7436]

Mr. Bowis

Since April 1993, we have had a very full monitoring programme for community care in order to ensure that implementation stayed on track. In addition, the social services inspectorate carries out regular inspections, statistics are regularly collected and published and longer-term research is in hand to evaluate progress.

Our monitoring has shown that the implementation of community care has been a good story for vulnerable people, who have already benefited greatly from the new arrangements. Firm foundations have been laid and steady progress continues to be made.

Community care is, however, a long-term programme and work remains to be done before the full benefits are delivered in all areas. Our programme for development set out in the document "Building Partnerships for Success" will help encourage this further development. As the Audit Commission has pointed out, local authorities need good financial control of their social services budgets. Some could do better if greater use were made of independent sector provision.