§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that his Department's work on devising fair access to care guidance is integrated with work on charging policies. [85382]
§ Mr. HuttonAs promised in the Social Services White Paper we are drafting guidance to help authorities apply eligibility criteria more consistently, thus ensuring fairer access to care services around the country. We will be involving local authorities and other agencies as well as users and carers in working up this guidance, and will ensure that it properly takes account of other relevant policy development including any changes to the charging system.