§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons interrupted spells as a hospital in-patient are linked for the purpose of assessing reductions in the rates of benefit which are payable. [118912]
§ Mr. BayleyRules about the payment of benefits in NHS hospitals have been part of the Social Security system for over 50 years. Where the NHS provides free maintenance and care in hospital, benefits for the same purpose are not paid in full indefinitely.
The rule which links together interrupted spells as a hospital in-patient is based on the premise that people whose stay in hospital follows this pattern will, in general, have some home savings during the period that they are being maintained and cared for free of charge in hospital. They are therefore treated in the same way as people whose stay in hospital is continuous. For periods when the person is at home, full benefit is restored.