HL Deb 08 July 2004 vol 663 cc108-9WA

Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the assessment tools that underpin the criteria for National Health Service continuing care are being applied uniformly across all strategic health authorities; and [HL3525]

Whether the assessment tools that underpin the criteria for National Health Service continuing care can identify the mental health needs of those being assessed. [HL3526]

Lord Warner:

The Department of Health has been clear that an individual's mental health needs are to be considered during continuing care assessments and expects any assessment tools used would do so. The department has not issued or recommended a standard assessment tool for continuing care assessments, the choice of an assessment tool is a matter for strategic health authorities.

Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why strategic health authorities were asked in September 2003 to review continuing care arrangements using the Department of Health guidance which was criticised by the Health Ombudsman in February 2003. [HL3527]

Lord Warner:

Strategic health authorities have used the existing guidance on setting criteria, since the legal position has not changed since 2001. Without a change in the legal position, the Department of Health was not able to reinterpret the guidance. The department required strategic health authorities to review their criteria and provide evidence that their criteria met legal requirements.

Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:

How strategic health authorities are identifying those continuing care cases where a person may have been incorrectly assessed. [HL3528]

Lord Warner:

Strategic health authorities are examining all cases that are presented for investigation or where case finding has indicated a potential need for an investigation. The Department of Health issued a model template for investigating cases where individuals may have been wrongly assessed as ineligible for continuing care. A copy of this template is in the Library.

Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement on National Health Service continuing care on 24 June (WS 66), what appeal process is in place for those who are turned down for recompense; and how many have (a) appealed or (b) complained to the Health Ombudsman.[HL3529]

Lord Warner:

Individuals who are unhappy with the outcome of their recompense review have recourse to the National Health Service complaints procedure. The Department of Health does not hold data on the number of continuing care restitution cases which are undergoing an appeal or have been passed to the ombudsman.

Forward to