§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many councils have reviewed their eligibility for adult social care to ensure they do not discriminate on the basis of age as part of the milestones set out in the National Service Framework for Older People. [106223]
§ Jacqui SmithCouncils are asked to implement eligibility criteria in accordance with Department of Health guidance on 'Fair access to care services', by 7 April 2003. Through implementing the guidance, councils will fulfil the first stage requirement of standard one of the national service framework for older people with respect to rooting out age discrimination. This is because the eligibility framework focuses entirely on needs and risks and makes no reference to age. Implementation of the guidance will also assist councils to review wider policies for, and access to, adult social care in pursuit of standard one.