To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of standards of out-of-hospital (a) palliative and (b) dementia care for elderly patients in (i) England, (ii) Merseyside and (iii) Crosby; and if he will make a statement. (282525)

As part of the work to develop the end of life care strategy and the national dementia strategy, evidence was considered on all aspects of end of life care, including palliative care, services and dementia care services for adults in England as a whole, irrespective of age. The outcome of this work is reflected in the two strategies, which were published in July 2008 and February 2009 respectively. Copies of the strategies have already been placed in the Library and are available at:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086277

and

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094058

We have made no assessment of the standards of out-of-hospital end of life care or dementia care for elderly patients in Merseyside or Crosby. This is the responsibility of local primary care trusts and Sefton council.