§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer concerning nursing care, on 17 January 2001,Official Report, columns 246–47W, if he will set out for each local authority with social services responsibilities the amount that has been deducted from their SSA to reflect the change in responsibility for paying for nursing care. [146702]
§ Mr. HuttonNo amount has been deducted from local authorities' standard spending assessment to reflect the planned change in responsibility for paying for nursing care. If Parliament agrees to change the way nursing care in nursing homes is funded, we will ensure the appropriate financial arrangements are made.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 5W, on nursing home charges, how frequently the needs of a person will be assessed by a registered nurse. [146455]
§ Mr. HuttonWe plan to issue guidance to the effect that reassessment will take place three months after the first assessment of registered nurse input and then at intervals of no more than 12 months. The guidance will also outline the circumstances which will trigger immediate reassessment. The registered nurse whom is providing care to the individual will be monitoring the person's condition and will make any immediate changes to care that are necessary.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2001,Official Report, column 247W, concerning payment of fees, if he will set out the forecasts for fee levels in residential and nursing homes for the spending review period. [146704]
§ Mr. HuttonA wide range of factors were taken into account in the spending review for future changes in costs and functions faced by social services authorities. This does not attempt to forecast a fee level for nursing homes or residential homes. That is matter for negotiation between each home and its client, or the responsible local or health authority.