§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have taken to inform residents of nursing homes of their entitlement to free nursing care. [HL1039]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathDraft guidance, containing our proposals to implement free nursing care was issued for consultation, together with a press release, in July. The Department of Health has produced a leaflet,NHS Funded Nursing Care in Nursing Homes—What it means for you, a guide for people living in or going into nursing homes, their families and their carers to coincide with the implementation of free nursing care for those funding their own care from 1 October. Primary care trusts, health authorities and councils are distributing these to nursing homes, residents, their families and carers. National Health Service nurses will also have the opportunity to explain the scheme face-to-face when individual determinations of the registered nursing care contribution are carried out. The public can also obtain information from NHS Direct and, in the south-west of England, from Care Direct.