AQW 54172/11-16 Written question to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he intends to review the process by which Direct Payments are awarded by Health and Social Care Trusts for the care of children and adults.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 11 February 2016
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 11 February 2016
- Answer due by
- 26 February 2016
- Answered
- 23 March 201641 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Under the Carers and Direct Payments Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts have a duty to provide a direct payment to an individual with eligible needs, if the HSC Trust is satisfied that the individual's need for support can be met appropriately by means of a direct payment.
Direct payments can be a very useful tool in supporting people to take control of their own care and promoting choice. As part of the Reform of Adult Care and Support, my department is examining the future role of direct payments, in order to ensure that the system is making the best use of this important mechanism for providing care.