§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers health authorities have to ensure that payments to nursing home owners in respect of assessed nursing care needs are passed on in full to the relevant clients; and what monitoring of such payments he requires to be carried out. [10939]
§ Jacqui SmithGuidance issued to the national health service makes clear that, from 1 October, those funding the full cost of their care in a nursing home from their own resources should not be charged for the cost of their care by a registered nurse as determined by an NHS nurse.
Nursing homes will be receiving payments in respect of their clients' individual nursing needs from that date. This should be passed on to the individual through lower fees. The individual cannot be charged for services that the NHS is paying for and this will be reflected in the contracts between NHS bodies and nursing homes and between individuals and the home. NHS bodies will ensure that the contracts that they have with individual nursing homes are complied with and that any complaints relating to NHS funded nursing care are investigated.