§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what systems are in place to ensure that social services and NHS trusts have agreed budgets for community equipment services by April 2002. [R] [21794]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 10 December 2001]Statutory guidance issued to health and local authorities in March 2001 explained the requirement to make adequate financial provision for Modernising local community equipment services. Several systems of financial and performance monitoring encourage commissioners and providers to identify and agree budgets for community equipment services for the coming financial year. These include spring and autumn monitoring exercises with senior managers of social services. Budgetary commitments agreed in local business plans by social services and national health service trusts feed into local Modernisation reviews and planning for the integration of local services.