§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to issue guidance to strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and local authorities on the resolution of disputes regarding assessment for free continuing care and registered nursing care, following Cowl v Plymouth City Council, CA 14 December 2001 and the new Pre-Action Protocol of the Adminstrative Court. [57929]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 23 May]HSC 2001–015: LAC (2001)18 gives guidance on the existing procedure for continuing care review panels and extends the remit of those panels to other decisions regarding the National Health Service funded element of any care package. There is no intention to alter that guidance because of Cowl v Plymouth County Council or pre-action protocols.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place the eligibility criteria for free continuing care adopted by each strategic health authority as from 1 April in the Library. [57926]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 23 May 2002]Eligibility criteria for continuing national health service care are not held centrally by the Department.