Ending the postcode lottery on home care charges – have your say on planned new legislation
The National Assembly for Wales’ Legislation Committee No.5 is currently scrutinising the proposed National Assembly Social Care Charges Measure.
It was introduced by Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas AM on 29 June.
The proposed new law would introduce a new regime for charging which will ensure that local councils across Wales adopt a more consistent approach to charging for home care services.
Legislation Committee No. 5 now wants to hear the views of all stakeholders including those who receive care services, the organisations representing them, and local authorities on the proposed Measure.
This is an issue that affects a lot of people across Wales,” said committee chair, Mark Isherwood AM.
32,000 people receive care services in the community for which they could be charged at the moment. It is important that we hear the views of those who will be affected by the proposed Measure – those who deliver and receive these services. It will allow the Welsh Ministers to set out what types of services and people receiving social care services should be excluded from charging, and setting standard or maximum charges.”
Full details of the public consultation, a copy of the Measure and further information about it can be found on the Committee’s website (see the Explanatory Memorandum):
The closing date for the consultation is 28 August 2009. It may not be possible to take into account responses received after this date.
If you wish to submit evidence, please send an electronic copy of your submission to apslegislationcommitteeNo5@wales.gsi.gov.uk and entitle the e-mail Consultation – Proposed Social Care Charges Measure.”
Alternatively, you can write to:
Olga Lewis,
Deputy Committee Clerk, Legislation Office,
National Assembly for Wales,
Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA.
The Committee hold its first evidence session on the Measure on 14 July and will be taking evidence from the Deputy Minister, Gwenda Thomas on 14 July. It will take further evidence from witnesses in the autumn term.