§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy from 1 April 2002 to give people an enforceable right not to be charged for intermediate care services. [14714]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 14 November 2001]:Our view is that all intermediate care, as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the January circular (Health Service Circular 2000–01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1) and subject to the normal time limits outlined there, should be free at the point of use.
Services commissioned or provided by the national health service are free. Although councils retain local discretion to charge we are encouraging them to make all such services free at the point of use, through the use of Health Act flexibilities.
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§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken in evaluating the baseline figures for intermediate care to audit compliance with the criteria set out in paragraph 7 of HSC 2001/01: LAC (2001). [14712]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 14 November 2001]A recent detailed survey of intermediate care validated the 1999–2000 baseline and established current levels of provision using the defining criteria in the January 2001 circular (Health Service Circular 2001/01: Local Authority Circular (2001).
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the definition of intermediate care in HSC 2001/01: LAC (2001). [14715]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 14 November 2001]: The definition in the January 2001 circular (Health Service Circular 2001/01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1) was drawn up in consultation with practitioners in the field. Subsequent feedback indicates that it has brought much needed clarity and is being implemented.
We shall, however, keep this under review and issue further guidance if needed.