Southern Cross Healthcare

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 16th June 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Burstow Portrait Paul Burstow
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I have tried to give the House a number of reassurances on that point. I would add that there have been home closures over a number of years, from which we must learn lessons. One lesson is that we must minimise the possibility of closures and ensure that when they take place they are handled sensitively, slowly and carefully. That is why I welcome the work that the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services recently published—it sets out strong, clear, evidence-based guidance to assist local authorities in managing any closures in future.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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I have one Southern Cross home on Kesteven way in Hull and I am concerned about what the Minister said and the complacent attitude that the Department of Health is showing on the role of local authorities. Is there a co-ordinated plan for the whole country, bringing together all the local authority plans, so that we know that there is coverage for the whole country if the worst happens? I am not sure that there is.

Paul Burstow Portrait Paul Burstow
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Such work is in hand and has been for some time.