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Elderly People (Patient Transfers)

Volume 400: debated on Monday 24 February 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect on their health of transferring elderly people between residential or nursing homes. [98862]

The Department recognises that moving into and between care homes can be difficult and stressful for any long-term resident, particularly vulnerable older people.Such moves, including ones made as a result of care home closures, should be handled as sensitively and appropriately as possible. Proper arrangements should be made for the safe and satisfactory transfer of all residents to other suitable homes. There should be adequate time for this to be done, in a way that allows both residents and their relatives a choice in where they are to move to, and which creates the minimum possible discomfort to all concerned.