Oral Answers to Questions

Oliver Dowden Excerpts

Tuesday 11th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Dowden (Hertsmere) (Con)]

14. What clothing and other support the NHS provides to elderly people discharged from hospital into care homes for the first time.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (David Mowat)]

Every patient discharged from hospital into a care home should have a care plan or discharge assessment. This should include a clear assessment of their needs, covering transport, carers, GP notification, medication and, where necessary, clothing requirements.

[Oliver Dowden]

I have been approached by a number of constituents concerned about cases of elderly and vulnerable people who have been discharged from hospital straight into care homes, often without any basic personal effects or clothing because their family cannot or are not willing to supply them. Does the Minister recognise this, and what can the Government do to tackle it?

[David Mowat]

As I said earlier, there is a national process in the form of the care plan. Where the family is not able to or will not provide support, typically the voluntary sector is asked to do so. If that does not work, local authorities can increase the personal expenses allowance to provide clothing. I am interested to hear about the cases that my hon. Friend mentions in his constituency, and I am very happy to talk to him to understand better why the process has failed there.