§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if nursing care funded by the Government for those in long-term care will be restricted to that given by trained nurses; [112004]
(2) if he intends to adopt the definition of nursing care set out in the report of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. [112003]
§ Mr. HuttonNo options for change have been ruled in or out at this stage. The Department of Health held a seminar on 1 March to discuss approaches to defining nursing care. Participants included representatives of professional and managerial organisations, private sector providers and voluntary organisations representing users of services. The issues raised at the seminar will help to inform our consideration of national standards for staffing levels in nursing homes and our final decision on the future funding of long-term care, following the conclusion of the spending review.