Clause 2 - Notice of patient's possible need
Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill
12:45 pm
Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne, Conservative)
I would be persuaded of that argument if the hon. Lady could point to the word ''choice'' anywhere in the Bill. Perhaps I have missed it, but I cannot see it anywhere. Not only does the Bill deny patient choice by not making it a priority, but the Government have eroded the choice of, for example, care and residential homes available.
I mentioned the Ryders, who in the face of the new regulations sold their residential care home. They had barely shut their home when the Government did a U-turn on the requirements for lifts and so on of homes such as theirs. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health on 6 August, asking what he was going to do to compensate Mr. and Mrs. Ryder for that grotesque unfairness, and have yet to receive a reply.
It being One o'clock, The Chairman proceeded, pursuant to Sessional Order C relating to Programming (29 October 2002) and the Order of the Committee [this day], to put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Amendment negatived.
The Chairman then proceeded to put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that time.
Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.