HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 cc509-10W
29. Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS provision for elderly patients. [102290]

Mr. Hutton

In 1997, the then Secretary of State my right hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) commissioned the Health Advisory Service to undertake an independent inquiry into the care of older people on acute wards in general hospitals. The resulting report, "Not Because They Are Old" was sent under cover of a health service circular to health authorities and National Health Service trusts in November 1999.

The circular required Chief Executives of health authorities, in partnership with colleagues in NHS trusts and social services, to ensure that the findings of the report are considered when preparing joint investment plans for older people. These joint investment plans are an integral part of local health improvement programmes (HImPs) which will include both national and local priorities. We are also developing a national service framework for older people which will set out, for the first time, national standards for the health care of older people. The national service framework will be published next year.

We have also taken steps to address a number of areas to improve the care of older people. For example, we have introduced free sight tests for people over 60 and free immunisation against influenza for people aged 75 and over. Our plans to expand cataract services from 170,000 a year to 250,000 will benefit thousands of older people.

Mr. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he is holding with(a) hospitals, (b) nursing homes and (c) residential care homes about the treatment of elderly patients; and if he will make a statement. [103650]

Mr. Hutton

We are determined that elderly people, wherever they are being cared for, receive high quality services and are treated with dignity and respect. We are working in a number of areas to ensure this happens.

Officials hold discussions with health and local authorities who have been working together and with a range of local stakeholders to produce joint investment plans for older people. Local stakeholders include representatives of patients or clients and their carers and those who provide care for the elderly in hospital or in a residential or nursing home setting. These plans consider service quality and effectiveness and identify key priorities for change.

We will publish our national service framework for older people next year. This will set national standards, service models, and establish performance measures against which progress will be measured.

We are also developing national standards for residential care homes and nursing homes. The consultation document "Fit for the Future? National Required Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes for Older People" sets out proposals aimed at promoting better quality care and helping prevent abuse. "Fit for the Future?" was sent to major provider organisations as well as regulatory and user interests. The consultation period ends on 21 January.

Guidance for developing multi-agency codes of practice for dealing with incidents of abuse to vulnerable adults is being produced with the Home Office, the Wales Office, the police, social services, health and the voluntary sector. "No secrets" was launched for consultation in September. We plan to issue a final version of the guidance to authorities in the new year.