HL Deb 22 January 2004 vol 657 c150WA
Baroness Greengross

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they have fulfilled the commitment they gave during the passage of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill that every patient concerned should be assessed for fully-funded continuing care before social services are contacted (HL Deb, 27 March 2003, col. 984). [HL895]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

Guidance issued in support of the implementation of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Act made it clear that an assessment notification cannot be issued to social services if the appropriate continuing care assessment has not been carried out. The Delayed Discharges (Continuing Care) Directions will strengthen the legal framework for ensuring that an assessment for fully funded National Health Service continuing care is completed. As a result of external consultation with key stakeholders amendments have been made to these directions and they will be published in due course.