This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Free personal care
26/05/2006
A letter issued to local authorities today sets out general principles for local authorities in deciding what services they should provide free of charge.
Local authorities are expected to provide services based on the assessed needs of individuals, and could include assistance with simple tasks such as cutting up food, or heating a prepared meal.
Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"This policy benefits thousands of older people and we remain committed to delivering free personal and nursing care for those who are assessed as requiring it.
"We are aware that some local authorities charge for some services related to assisting with the preparation of food, while the majority of local authorities do not.
"We have want to remove the confusion and concerns that elderly people have about paying for these tasks.
"That's why we have decided to make it clear that while we do not intend to impose a heavy burden on local authorities, we do regard simple tasks as falling within the scope of personal care, which should be provided free to people assessed as requiring it.
"We do not intend to be prescriptive and we expect local authorities to continue to exercise flexibility over the delivery of their own services, bearing in mind the assessed needs of the individual and local circumstances."