Care for the Elderly

HC Deb 10 April 2001 vol 366 cc592-3W

24. Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about improving the standards of care for the elderly. [156307]

Mr. Hutton

We are determined that older people should receive higher standards of care from the NHS and social services. The National Service Framework for Older People, published on 27 March will deliver high quality health and social care, based on clinical and assessed need, not age. National minimum standards for care homes for older people, published on 2 March, will promote better quality care and help prevent abuse by grounding practice in the principles of dignity, choice, privacy and respect.

27. Mr. Heppell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in making intermediate care available to ensure that elderly people remain independent for as long as possible. [156310]

Mr. Hutton

The Government are committed to promoting older people's independence. Additional money this winter was focused primarily on intermediate and transitional care. Recent intermediate care guidance and the National Service Framework for Older People emphasise the importance of establishing intermediate care as a mainstream service and a development priority. Targets have been set to ensure continued progress, backed by significant extra funding announced in the NHS Plan.