§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for assessment for(a) homecare aids, (b) adaptations and (c) equipment in each social services department area in the UK; and what the average waiting time for assessment in each area was in the last 12 months. [79976]
§ Jacqui SmithThis information is not available centrally and may be possible to obtain only by approaching individual social service departments.
The government is investing in services for community equipment and minor adaptations over the years 2001 to 2006. The funding will help these services reduce waiting times in line with the targets set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, in a statement to the House on 23 July 2002 that, as part of the single assessment process, assessments will be complete with one month of referral and equipment then delivered within seven working days.