§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the provision of beds in nursing homes for post-operative patients, following the report of the Royal Commission on Long-term Care. [111117]
§ Mr. HuttonWe share the Royal Commission's views on the importance of rehabilitation. The Royal Commission recommended ways in which the charging system for residential social care could help promote rehabilitation and we are considering these as part of the current review of Government spending.
There is an important role for intermediate care, which enables people to avoid being admitted to hospital and to be discharged earlier. Schemes involve health and social 232W care services working together and include rapid response teams, community support teams, hospital at home nurse-led units, step down facilities and community-based rehabilitation services.