§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance his Department has given to social services departments to prepare for the commencement of fines for bed blocking.[144384]
§ Dr. LadymanIn 2003–04 the Delayed Discharges Grant of £50.8 million means that social service departments will retain a proportion of the grant provided they improve the performance compared to levels of delay in March 2003. Additionally the Department has provided guidance, a dedicated website (www.doh.gov.uk/reimbursement) and an implementation team to support social services and national health service partners in preparing for charging for delayed discharges.
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