HL Deb 18 July 2001 vol 626 cc132-3WA
Baroness Nicol

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they plan to fulfil the pledge made in the NHS Plan to introduce free nursing in nursing homes. [HL403]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

We have issued draft guidance and directions on implementing free nursing care in England and copies have been placed in the Library. The Department of Health will introduce this from 1 October for those who pay for their care themselves. This will bring financial benefits to approximately 35,000 people who currently pay for their care from their own resources and could save up to just over £5,000 in a full year for some people.

It will also end the anomaly of people having to pay for care that is provided free of charge by the National Health Service in other settings.

Those people whose care is currently provided by councils and who receive free nursing care anyway will receive it free via the NHS from April 2002.