§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many re-assessments of entitlement to free continuing care his Department predicts as a result of implementation of section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 regarding the effect on entitlement to free continuing care; [76212]
(2) what representations his Department has received on the implementation of section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 regarding the effect on entitlement to free continuing care. [76213]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answers 22 October 2002]: The implementation of section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 relates to National Health Service funded nursing care, not free continuing care. The guidance states that patients should have their need for registered nursing care reviewed and re-assessed three months after their placement in a nursing home; at least annually thereafter, or when there is a significant change in their condition. Entitlement to local NHS continuing health care criteria is the first consideration in any assessment by NHS nurses. I have received several representations in relation to the implementation of section 49.